Asante Kotoko has joined calls for stronger safety measures and an end to violence in Ghana football as the club marked the 25th anniversary of the May 9 Stadium Disaster.
Speaking during the commemoration ceremony, the club’s Commercial Manager, Charles Hammond, paid tribute to the 127 supporters who lost their lives during the tragic league match between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9, 2001.
“Today, Asante Kotoko stands in solemn remembrance of our 127 cherished supporters who lost their lives on this painful day 25 years ago when we faced Hearts of Oak,” he stated.
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He described the day as one of the darkest moments in Ghana’s football history, noting that the memories of the victims remain deeply rooted in the hearts of supporters and the nation at large.
According to him, the pain of the disaster continues to linger, stressing that the blood of the victims “still cries out from the stands of that stadium.”
Hammond also reflected on other tragic incidents in Ghana football, including the 1978 Kumasi Stadium disaster, noting that violence, poor crowd control, and negligence have repeatedly cost innocent lives.
He questioned how many more lives must be lost before lasting action is taken, calling on the Ghana Football Association, the National Sports Authority, security agencies, clubs, and supporters to work together to end hooliganism and improve safety at match venues.
“Stop the violence. Stop the reckless behaviour. Stop treating safety as an afterthought,” he urged.
Hammond added that May 9 should not only be remembered as a day of mourning but also as a turning point for Ghana football.
He said the best way to honour the memory of the 127 supporters is to ensure that no football fan ever loses their life while watching the game they love.
PAH/MA
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