Herbert Mensah

Herbert Mensah Meets Otumfuo
– Daily Guide, 8 May 2017

FORMER KOTOKO Chairman, Herbert Mensah, led family members of some victims of the May 9, 2001 football disaster to the Manhyia Palace on Saturday. they were at the palace to pay homage to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was marking his 67th birthday on the day at the palace.

Prior to the visit, Mr. Mensah had led thousands of soccer fans to march on the major streets of Kumasi as he had done annually during the past 16 years.

The march was in the memory of the 126 soccer fans that got perished in a football match between Kotoko and Hearts in Accra on May 9, 2001. the march, which as usual was massively patronized, was also held to create awareness and educate soccer fans to be law abiding when they visit the stadium.

In his succinct remarks at the Manhyia palace, Mr. Mensah lauded the Asantehene for his key roles in the transformation of sports in the country.

He particularly commended Otumfuo for his wise counsel to him (Herbert) on the day that the May 9 stadium disaster occurred in 2001. “I remember that day, Otumfuo was the first person that I called and he told me to be courageous”, the ex-Kotoko chairman told the gathering.

Mr. Mensah described Otumfuo as a father and mentor, saying that the Asante Monarch had been a source of motivation to him over the years.

Later on in a chat with newsmen, Mr. Mensah reiterated his appeal to soccer fans to shun hooliganism during football games, saying “sports should unite us”.

This year’s May 9 walk in Kumasi started at Kantudu through Anloga Junction, stadium, Asafo, Fante new town, Roman Hill and ending at the central Mosque.