Ghana Football::Asante Kotoko::We are still at the preparatory stage

We are still at the preparatory stage

Sylvester Asare-Owusu says on Adako Jachie Project

23rd July 2007

Correspondent: Jerome Otchere Kumasi

Chairman Sylvester Asare-Owusu has stated that work at the Adako Jachie site where a 30-room hostel facility and three training pitches would be constructed for Kotoko is still at the preparatory stage. He said in undertaking projects such as what Kotoko wants to do it was important to follow all laid down procedures and technical advices in order to have a good work done.

The Chairman said the amount of work being done by highly professional and qualified men on the various projects to be constructed at the site needed more time and careful planning. He said management would not hasten to do anything that would lead to a shoddy work. “Kotoko supporters will not forgive us if that happens” the Chairman observed.

“This is my area. So I know when I talk or say anything, I know exactly what I am talking about. We have to take our time and go through all the necessary stages. There is no need hastening anything” he added.

Sylvester Asare-Owusu disclosed that surveyors who inspected the land as a matter of necessity had mounted pegs on the land adding that architects were busily working on the architectural designs for the project.

“The Surveyors in determining the boundaries of the land mounted pegs. That is one thing. The second thing is that the last time we discussed issues on the project, Lawyer Kwame Boafo brought some of the designs for the projects but he had to take back to the architects for more work to be done because we want everything we do at the site to be conventional.

He revealed that at their next meeting they would a take a critical look at the various designs once again. “One thing I must mention is that we want to see conformity in the designs and construction of the hostel facility as well as the training pitches. We do not want to do anything haphazardly” he said.

Sylvester Asare-Owusu assured Kotoko supporters that the construction of the various projects at the site would be one of the legacies his management would leave for the club and stressed that a good work needed to be done for people to see that Kotoko did not like mediocrity or substandard work.

“At Kotoko we strive for excellence. We want the good of everything because set high standards for ourselves. Let’s not forget that we are one of the greatest clubs on the continent. The quality of anything we commit ourselves to therefore matters more to us. That is why I am appealing to our teeming supporters to be patient and give us the support we need. We have promised to lift the image of Kotoko higher than we came to meet it. I am saying that we shall be successfully” the Chairman assured.

YOUR COMMENTS

"yaw owusu-ansah, akosombo

","seriously, any management that would be able to undertake this project, without winning a trophy would actually be more popular than a management that wins an mtn trophy. the reason is that, the project will last for generation unborn to meet it, but the trophy will only be remembered on paper. so please, sly and lieutenants should strive hard to undertake this project and i am sure their names would continue to be mentioned by generations upon generations. more grease on your shoulders, keep it up!

"Daniel Agbaviade, New York

It's a laudable idea that the board members and management have thought decisively about constructing hostel facilities to offer players sound accommodation to lay their heads. Again, I'm delighted about the sound idea of planning to construct a modern training ground for the only greatest team in Ghana, Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The Porcupine fraternity and affiliates have in the past, heard of a similar 'horn-blowing' in the wind but to no avail. Otumfuo, in many instances, have promised giving several acres of land and money to assist the construction of such ventures but hardly does such thin air promises bear get any roots, let alone bearing fruit for consumption. In fact, Kotoko fans have far, been taken for granted. We're tired of anybody waking up any day promising Kotoko fans heaven, whilst they haven't even read the 10 commandments in the Bible that give good morality and sound manners to enabling one being accepted by God or being able to get a seat in heaven. There's nothing Kotoko fans can say than waiting to see such eye catchy plans afoot in reality with optimism. The Red Army fans are really tired of deceptive cum lips promises. Enough is enough.

Nana Ababio, Atlanta, Georgia

Good job done Chairman & your team,
We the supporters encourage you to take this project seriously bcos it's long over due for our great club. I pray that God will let you and your team stay longer to realise this great foresight for the club. God Bless You.

K.Akuoko, Denver USA

The chief executive said Kotoko did not want mediocrity and that cuts across anything Kotoko. The grammar of this piece should have been checked!!
It is refreshing to know that this project is taking off and I agree with Mr. Asare that the best should be done for Kotoko. What is needed is transparency. It is in our best interest to run Kotoko the way the other world class teams do. They all started at a point and built towards where they are now. If Kotoko management decide to execute their jobs with utmost professionalism then any management that comes after them would not find it difficult to improve on what they left.
Where is the management going to find the money to finance this laudable project? Would there be trust in the system for some bank or group of persons to give some huge sums of money for the project?
As it is now I do not know if a bank or another financial institution is financing the project, but relying on supporters' contributions alone would not accelerate the project.
Kotoko supporters are the least patient and so it will not stick if you tell them to be so. What needs to be done is to let pragmatic systems do the work and any supporter who sees would be carried along and the contributions would come in their numbers.
There should be competent staff employed to run the affairs of Kotoko under the current management. It is not one's loyalty to Kotoko alone that is needed. Of course if there are loyalists of the club who are employed but do not have the skills needed to run it what use would their loyalty be? I do believe there are those who have the loyalty and the skills too. These are the people we need.
I wish Mr. Asare and his team the best and I would be glad if they could usher Kotoko into the realm of clubs that are well known to be professionally run. It is not about tradition but even if it is, the right one stays and cannot be destroyed. Ever!! Fabulous, the BEST!!

OWUSU TARWA

please Sil, try as much as possible to do this project with the help from our GREAT KING so that we can use it to remember U.

LUCY

well am very happy about how you are thinking about kotoko so much i think we have to get our own facilities

Masterpee Kpong
"I think the work should be in a haste but must be done carefully for this team.

Michael Poku-Boansi
This is a very laudable initiative which must be supported by all. I will only appeal to Management to look for professionals who support the club and will be prepared to offer their services to the club.