Kickoff (Cape Town)
27 August 2008
Gold mining firm Anglogold Ashanti says it is still committed to the future of AshantiGold Football Club but says it wants to draw a clear distinction between the football club and its mining operations.
The Obuasi Mines has been the financial muscle behind AshantiGold's rise to one of Ghana's best clubs but there have been suggestions in the past weeks that they are looking to give up their interest in the club.
Former Kotoko chief executive Herbert Mensah's has already sent a team to inspect facilities with the view to a take over and while Anglogold Ashanti would not confirm that, they did not deny that the club's ownership structure is under review.
Management of Anglogold Ashanti has noted with concern news that is making round that the company is divesting its interest in Ashgold Football Club, Rampa- Luhembwe, Vice President Anglogold Ashanti, West Africa wrote in a statement.
"The fact is Anglogold Ashanti is holding discussions on the future direction of the club and will in due course make a definite announcement on the matter. We can assure our social and business partners and interested parties in obuasi and elsewhere that the traditional relevance and contribution of Ashgold Football Club will be protected.
"We can state categorically that the club will not be relocated from its base in Obuasi. Neither will its name be changed. Anglogold Ashanti believes that ultimately the club should not be an attachment of its mining operations but should be a professionally managed independent football club with a commitment to excellence."
The statement will do little to end rumours of a potential sale and the sense of instability that has gripped the club.
Chief executive Kudjoe Fianoo quit last week citing a lack of financial support from the board as the reason.
He has held discussions about a potential return but the Anglogold Ashanti statement suggest it will be some time before the club's future becomes clear.
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