Why the African way…pull him down?!
Kotoko 1 Okwawu 0
Playing at Nkawkaw is always tough. This year our players responded in style. Even though I was in the UK I received a blow by blow account as the game progressed. The torrential rains before the start of the match did not help and it was a testament to the commitment of Middendorp’s boys that we were able to grind out this victory.
FROM THE BOARDROOM
In remembrance!
Wednesday May 9th 2001
I will never ever forget this day. I still wake up at night and early in the morning and remember the afternoon rain, the match itself, the linesman’s flag, the poor officiating, the tear gas, the images of people jumping from great heights to escape the tear gas, the confusion and the stampede the injured and the dead, the club colours draped on the dead, the living and the hope.
FROM THE BOARDROOM
Special day
Happy Birthday Nana
Happy Birthday Nana. At 51 years we hope that you had a wonderful day and that this year and the years that are to come are full of health and happiness! On Sunday we gave you a special birthday present by beating Bofoakwa 3 – 0. Before the match it rained .
FROM THE BOARDROOM
Home team takes 55%?
I am always somewhat concerned when I hear the debate amongst some of my fellow soccer administrators. We all want our sides to win and to be the best but as the temporary custodians of the club we need to focused on the creation of financial atmosphere that will be conducive for the proper and effective running of the clubs. There are and will always be issues of current debate which our supporters will fuel and argue. Indeed in the current dispensation where FM stations and some other media can bring immediacy to the same supporters they have tended to deal with the topical issues of the day.
FROM THE BOARDROOM
Our great supporters II
GFA Chairmanship…
The saga continues. I was talking with some overseas soccer administrators a couple of days ago when they asked me what the fuss was about the appointment of a new FA chairman! They simply could not understand the entire hullabaloo! They wanted to know why the job was not simply advertised. After all every job has certain basic professional requirements as well as experience! At M-NET for example there is a basic aptitude requirement which when tested takes precedence over some educational achievements!
FROM THE BOARDROOM
Coaches
The question of the importance of the coach
I have long argued about the relevance and importance of the coach in all sports. He is crucial and fundamental to the success of the team. England under new coach Sven Goran Eriksson beat Spain by three goals to nil. The importance of the victory had a great impact on me because of both the attitude of the players and the player selection made by the coach.
FROM THE BOARDROOM
Assessment and positioning
Kotoko 1 Kwaebibirem 2
This was an important lesson for us in many ways. I could and should start off by stating that the following players were unavailable due to national commitment with the Black Stars and Satellites. LAWRENCE ADJEI, GODWIN ABLORDEY, ISAAC OWUSU, STEPHEN ODURO AND LAWRENCE KAINYA are the players in question. GODFRED YEBOAH, KWAKU DUAH, MICHAEL OSEI AND FELIX YEBOAH were all absent through injury. We may have played Kwaebibirem with what in many ways was a second string team BUT there was an important lesson for the team.
FROM THE BOARDROOM
(The Biggest and the Greatest!!)
E.T. Mensah’s Legacy to Ghana Football
I had actually finished preparing my piece “From the Boardroom” last Friday and was feeling very pleased with myself. I often have to work into the early hours of the morning to complete my work otherwise the editor, Kobina Andoh will invariably be extremely displeased with me! On this occasion I finished ahead of time! I am saying all of this because I have had to now add a few words on what I describe as E.T. Mensah’s Legacy to Ghana Football!
FROM THE BOARDROOM
(two sides to a story and then the truth!!)
Of Transfers and Respect
It is funny how times change. When we seek to keep all informed about every aspect of transactions as we did last year when we were purchasing players we are misconstrued as being too known. When we keep silent we are then the subject of wild and often libellous accusations directed at the credibility or lack of it! I guess it is all in a days work…the hazards that come with the job. Even though I would prefer not to make comments on some transactions it is important to make some to ensure that the objective are not unduly influenced by the “against” factions of society.
FROM THE BOARDROOMCommunication and Transparency
Most new organisations start with strong talk of openness and transparency. With time this sometimes changes to the detriment of the stakeholders. Our administration has always tried to maintain this. The establishment of the Kotoko Express as an official mouthpiece has been crucial to being able to maintain the openness we have preached. During last season we have gone to great lengths to publish the all-important “function statements” after matches (where available) and we have published are last audited accounts. The accurate information flow to all stakeholders is crucial if confidence is to be maintained and if planned programmes are to reach fruition.
Herbert Mensah 