'I wanted to become a pastor but God didn’t permit me' - Coach J.E Sarpong

Veteran Ghanaian Football Coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong has revealed that he had dreams of standing in front of congregants and ministering the word of God as a pastor until he eventually ended up in his current profession.

In a career spanning over 30 years, J.E. Sarpong has had a distinguished career having coached the two Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak SC.

He has also handled top clubs like Accra Great Olympics, Dawu Youngsters, Ebusua Dwarfs, Liberty Professionals, and others.

As the seasoned coach turned 71 years on Wednesday, June 10, Takoradi-based Skyy Power FM called to celebrate him on live radio.

A hugely impressed J.E. Sarpong reflected on how it all began for him and said but for his sporting talents given him by God, he would have been a pastor by now.

“I attended school at Nkonya Secondary School, I was a footballer and an athlete. After, I enrolled at St. Francis Teacher Training College, Hohoe (1971-1973), and was the [Volta] Regional Champion in 100m, 200m, and 4*100m anchor. That’s where my interest developed,” he told the Skyy Sports Show.

“Actually, I wanted to become a pastor but God didn’t permit me, and [in place of that] gave me this [sports] profession.

“So I attended Winneba [University of Education] to study [Physical Education] and joined Accra Academy in 1984.

“Same year [1984], Accra Hearts of Oak approached me for my services, and together we build a very youthful team made up of Ablade Kumah, Nana Benyin Crentsil, Joe Addo, Shamo Quaye, Ezekiel Alamu, Tetteh Anan Django, Ben Adjei, Thomas Quaye, Santrofi Acquah, etc, who formed the basis of the famous Musical Youth,” he revealed.