Hearts offers transfer system to realise stadium dream

Accra, Nov 14, GNA - Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club Limited has placed on offer, 'Build-Operate-Transfer' (BOT) system to enable them realise their dreams of having a stadium in the shortest possible time.

By the system, interested firms or contractors will be made to build the proposed stadium at Pobiman and operate it within a time frame in order to recover their investments and finally transfer it to the Club. Mr E. N. Commodore-Mensah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Club said this in response to a challenge thrown by the Club's Council of Patrons to the Board, at a dinner organised by the Club to celebrate its 95th birthday in Accra on Monday.

He said the Club is ready to enter into any form of negotiations with interested parties for the commencement of the project. Mr Commodore-Mensah said owning a stadium by the hundredth year of the Club will be the greatest achievement to be made and called on interested parties to come forward for negotiations while the Board also source for individuals and firms interested in the system. He said the Club is also taking into consideration the floatation of shares and called on individuals who have the knowledge and expertise to put them at the disposal of the Club for its implementation. The Board Chairman said his dream is to make Hearts the first Club in Ghana to be on the stock market.

This, he said, will increase the financial strength of the Club to enable them fulfill their other obligations.

Mr Commodore-Mensah said other policies, such as the adoption of a pragmatic youth policy aimed at reducing the huge cost involved in player recruitment will also be introduced to strengthen Auroras, the youth team of the Club.

This is to serve as a perfect feeding ground for the senior team. Mr Commodore-Mensah took the opportunity to assure the supporters of the Club that Hearts will win the 2006/7 premiership, despite the deductions of points by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

He added that the Club will not leave the points' deduction to rest but will pursue it to its logical conclusion to ensure justice. According to Mr Commodore-Mensah, they will exploit every judicial process at their disposal in pursuance of fairness and justice. He called on the followers of the Club to remain calm as they pursue the case.