Soccer News of Monday, 21 March 2005

Source: GNA

Supporters appeal to Asantehene to resolve impasse in Kotoko

Besease (Ash), March 21, GNA - Two supporter's groups of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club have appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the spiritual head of the club to swiftly intervene and resolve the impasse existing between the Ashanti Regional Circles and the national circles of the Club.

The groups said if the impasse was not quickly resolved, it could soon undermine the unity of the supporters and impact negatively on the performance of the Club.

The appeal was contained in a joint statement issued by the Ejisu-Zongo-Krapa Kotoko Supporters Union and the Ejisu-Besease Circle 145 at Besease on Sunday.

The statement was signed by Mr K.A. Abu Seidu and Mr Andrews Mensah, Chairmen of the two groups and copied to Mr Abdulai Umar, Director of Public Affairs of Kotoko.

The groups noted that because of the complicity of the impasse, the Board of Directors of Kotoko who stepped in to resolve the issues have failed to come out with any positive result on the fracas. "It is our conviction, therefore, that it is only the Asantehene, the life Patron of the Club whose intervention will bring the matter to rest and let sanity prevail among the teeming supporters", they added. They also expressed dismay and concern about the mass transfer of the Club's players to outside teams by the Management without any corresponding replacements.

The statement therefore called on Management to institute a mechanism that would pave the way for them to seriously embark on recruitment of not just players but quality ones to replace those that have been transferred.

They reminded the management of the need to fulfil all the pledges they made on assumption of office including the provision of a permanent office for the Club, a playing pitch and also the establishment of a gym.