Tag Archives: Herbert Mensah

One down many more to go

Posted on February 24, 2000 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
(One down many more to go)

On Wednesday Kotoko became the inaugural Champions of the Kofi Annan Trophy when they beat Dwarfs 2-1 on aggregate. Although we lost 1-0 on the day we took the trophy by dint of having won the first leg in Kumasi 2-0. All of Kotoko was ecstatic because it means we will be able to present Otumfuo Osei Tutu II with this trophy. The first of the season. A case of one down many more to go. In the good old days winning trophies was second nature to Kotoko. We are trying to take Kotoko back to those days. This match will be played for annually. The match itself was very tight with both teams trying to control the midfield. We continued to give our youngsters a try. The future will be dependent on how these young players can fit into Kotoko today. Although they clearly not start in most matches their supporting cast this season will be key for the future. There were some great passages of play. We do need the return of our more experienced players to buttress the team. The experience will give the youngsters the added confidence and support when they come on to the field to enable the best to be brought out of them. When under pressure it was clear to see David’s influence on the structure and direction of the team. One aspect of our game that I found most comforting was the communication between the players. The teamwork and spirit was great to see.

Let’s not get carried away

Posted on January 26, 2000 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
(Let’s not get carried away)

Kotoko’s participation in CAN 2000 continues to have great relevance for both Club and Country. Our opening match against Goldfields was undoubtedly the reason why Oseikrom was full on Sunday. The attendance the following day was predictably low because of the fact that the match was played mid afternoon on Monday. Many supporters also complained that they had spent the best part of the previous day at the Stadium and were exhausted. Others mentioned that they had to plan their finances to enable them plan watch “other” more interesting matches.

FROM THE BOARDROOM

Posted on September 29, 1999 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM

I spent part of Monday evening with Harry Zakhour and Alhaji Hearts at Ghana Television. Yes we have reached that singular point in the year when all sports lovers await in anticipation of the titanic struggle between Fabulous Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.

FROM THE BOARDROOM

Posted on September 24, 1999 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM

This week I went to the SSNIT Hospital in Osu to see my old friend and sometime adversary Alhaji Jawula. My friend had been admitted with High Blood Pressure. Some people were surprised to see me going to visit the GFA Chairman. I was surprised that they were surprised. Disagreement and criticism should be seen as progressive where possible. This is where you seek change and not destruction. This is also where you can be strong and yet still be on talking terms with the people you criticise.

Justice Gbadegbe Probe

Posted on August 28, 1999 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM

Justice Gbadegbe Probe

The major story continues to be the Justice Gbadegbe probe into the transfer of players from the Country. I appeared before the Justice Gbadegbe probe last Tuesday and it an experience I will never forget. The hearings are held in public and any person accused is allowed to defend himself. It is a case of there is no where to run and no where to hide. Justice Gbadegbe is a very calm, extremely professional man of highest integrity and intelligence. I left the probe knowing that Justice Gbadegbe and his colleagues would all do an excellent job. I must also admit to be being surprised at both the tenacity and the level of information that the panel had at their fingertips. Their ability to quickly decipher documentation and ask relevant questions was frightening.

This I believe is the start of a new atmosphere of accountability which is set to permeate into Ghana soccer. I came into football a few months ago knowing that the only way forward would be to present Asante Kotoko as the most professional unit both on the field and off the field and to try and win the confidence of all soccer lovers by being as transparant as possible. This commission, The Justice Gbadegbe commission has reinforced my view and hope. Afterall the facts pertaining to the transfer of players has been the domain of a few in the system. The frauds that appear to have been perpetuated have been only made possible by people who man a corrupt system. This I have a major problem with. Football is for everybody and the fact is the majority of people simply cannot afford to to spend much money on the game they love. It is therefore up to all soccer administrator to make sure that supporters get full value for money.

Tuesday was a day for mixed emotions. It was a day that the truth was confirmed and that can only be good. It was a sad day though because our former Chairman Mr. George Adusei Poku was forced to admit at the probe that Robert Boateng had been sold for $600,000 and that a further $200,000 may have been paid to the agent Mr. Andersson and that these monies may have been then given to the player.