Accra, Nov 10, GNA - Mr Harry Sawyer, President of the Council of Patrons of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has challenged the present Board of Directors to evolve pragmatic polices that will sow positive seeds to ensure the realization of the Pobiman stadium project.

"Nothing can bring greater joy to the Club than the day when we cut the sod for real works to commence at Pobiman project," Mr Sawyer said in an anniversary message on the occasion of the 95th birthday of the Club.

He said it is regrettable that a club of the stature of Hearts should not have a stadium of its own which has consequently resulted in the shuttling of the Club between Obuasi, Ho and Tema for both their international and domestic competitions.
Mr Sawyer in the anniversary message copied to the GNA Sports also bemoaned the neglect of the Club's 'Age-Long Nursery' policy by the current administration, adding that in the past 'we used to produce our own players at a comparatively low cost and supplementing it with few players from other Clubs.'
He said "the current practice of doing wholesale recruitment at very exorbitant cost must stop and no efforts should be spared in a collective move to catch players young and grow them into the juvenile side, Auroras.
"If we invest only 10 per cent of the money we use in buying the matured players in the nursery policy, the benefits we shall derive will be beyond measure."
The President said it is necessary for the Board to evolve plans that will transform the Club into a vibrant and dominant entity that can be compared favorably with internationally acclaimed clubs as it approaches its centenary celebrations.
He also challenged the Board to move from depending on traditional sources of income by relying on gate fees to more innovative avenues and therefore urged the supporters of the Club to come to the aid of the Club by contributing their widow's mite towards running of the Club. Mr Sawyer also urged the Board to give practical meaning to the floatation of shares since there are people within the Phobian fraternity with the requisite know-how whose services can be tapped to help achieve the desired goal.
He said the floatation of shares if properly executed will not only generate funds for both capital and recurrent expenditure but will also help in transforming the Club into a professional entity.
Whilst expressing concern about the problems of the Club, Mr Sawyer also commended the Club for its past achievements which saw them winning two pre-season trophies this season as well as placing second in the 2005 GT Premier League.
The President also paid tribute to various people who made sacrifices and contributions to the development of the Club. He mentioned some of the personalities who include late Nana Wereko Ampem II, former President of the Council of Patrons and distinguished =91servants' like M.T Okai, J.T. Dowuona, E.A. Abbey, Dr Eric Paa Lutterodt, Sam Amarkwei, C.O. Lamptey, and Mama Acquah.
Mr Sawyer urged all Phobians to forge ahead in peace and unity with the Club's slogan of 93Never Say Die until the Bones are Rotten=94 so that they can stand together.