Kofi Owusu Aduonum
5 November 2008
It is not so often that the Ghanaian football fraternity remembers its past heroes.
The decision therefore by champion club Kumasi Asante Kotoko, to honour the memory of its long serving patron and philanthropist Benjamin Kyem Edusei (affectionately called "BK") who died 35 years ago, has been lauded by many true sports lovers. "BK" was one of the strongest pillars in the history of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club. He was an enterprising businessman and owner of Asona Enterprises that dealt in building houses and road construction.
Operating from his Ringway Estate residence in Accra, he facilitated the recruitment of high profile players for Asante Kotoko with attractive monetary incentives. Kotoko thus became a strong force both at home and abroad and before long the "Porcupine Warriors" had become the champion club of Africa in 1970. "BK" was unfortunately physically challenged, but this did not deter him from actively following the progress of his pet club. On some occasions he would watch a Kotoko match sitting in his car at the corner of the stadium.
It was a real moving scene, when Kotoko arrived in Accra from Kinshasa in January 1971 with the Africa Cup and skipper Ibrahim Sunday presented the cup to "BK" in a waiting car at the Airport. "BK" was the lover of footballers. He bought cars with his personal resources for some of the players with the aim of motivating them. He was the first to employ foreign coaches for Kotoko, namely Josef Ember and Kertz both from Hungary and paid for their two years emoluments. The celebration will take the form of a memorial lecture on Nov 7, non-denominational church service and a football match.
The lecture which will trace the history of Ghana football administration with special focus of Asante Kotoko will be given by Mr. Kofi Badu, arguably the greatest sports journalist Ghana has produced. He has been twice Managing Director of Graphic Communications, the biggest newspaper outfit in the country and one time Minister of State in the Kutu Acheampong administration. A special football match scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on November 9 2008 between Asante Kotoko and King Faisal will climax the programme of activities that also coincide with the 73rd anniversary of Asante Kotoko Football Club. The management of Kotoko deserves congratulations for the honour done to the memory of this great football lover and philanthropist. It is hoped such honours would be bestowed on the living, especially dedicated retiring players who could be fittingly seen off with some testimonial matches as is done in many football loving countries.
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