National Best Hockey Men?s Player ? Ebenezer Frempong

Born some 27 years ago, Ebenezer Frempong, popularly known in hockey circles as Eddie Frempong, had his primary education at Kings International and Secondary education at Osei Kyeretwie Secondary (OKESS). He later mo moved to Bekwai Secondary where he obtained his G.C.E. ?O? Level Certificate. He returned to Osei Kyeretwie where he pursued his Sixth Form course and obtained his ?A? Level Certificate.

Eddie started playing competitive hockey in February 1995 when he represented his School team and the Ashanti Regional team. He also played for the Kumasi Stadium Hockey Club where his talent was recognized and therefore got selected to play in the 1995 National Club Championship in Accra. After that tournament, he was recruited by CEPS Hockey Club to feature for them in the 1996 hockey season and was later recruited into the service as a Customs Officer in 1999.


By dint of hard work, Eddie earned his call into the National Team (Black Sticks) in 2003 and was a member of the BRONZE MEDAL wining TEAM during the 8th All Africa Games held in Abuja-Nigeria in 2003. He was a member of the team that played in the 1st Afro-Asian Game held in Hyderabad India where he scored his first international goal through a penalty stroke in a match against Nigeria.


Eddie is emphatic that under the good leadership of National coaches Winfred Sackey and Yiadom Osei Boakye, he has been transformed from a defender to a midfielder, a role he has enjoyed playing at both National and club levels.


Indeed, Eddie has been a key figure in the success of CEPS Hockey Club in the past few year and even more prominent in 2004. In 2004, Eddie led his team to grab bronze during the National Sports Festival, Silver in the Security Services Sports Association (SESSA) Games and annexing the Pepsi Hockey League from their more glamorous rivals defending champions Exchequers of Bank of Ghana and overwhelming favorites for the title, Trustees of SSNIT. The dominance of Eddie was measured in terms of his control of the midfield during play and even more marveling, his ability to get on the score sheet 22 times and in the process being crowned the League?s top scorer.


A peek into the future for Eddie reveals that he is determined to make his club CEPS one of the BEST in the country. If given the opportunity also, he intends make a major contribution to ensure that the National Team takes another step forward in the rankings in Africa and the World. He hopes to be in active sports for the next 13 years by maintaining a healthy and sporty lifestyle and with the Good Lord providing him the strength and guidance.

Richmond Attipoe, FIH Umpire, former player of Exchequers of Bank of Ghana and now a player of NDK Financiers is the one Eddie looks up to as his mentor because of his discipline and dedication to the sport.


Eddie has a strong conviction that he has lived by his school MOTTO: That is, ?To be the BEST or with the BEST?.


Eddie is thankful to his team mates for their support in achieving a personal dream. He is happy to be the 2004 award winner and for him, this will inspire him to achieve greater heights.


He dedicates the ward to his late father who inspired him to be best he can be in all endeavors. ACHIEVEMENTS


CLUB LEVEL

1. 1996 Greater Accra League Champions


2. 1997 Greater Accra League Champions


3. 1999 Greater Accra League Champions


4. 2003 Silver Medalist in the SESSA games


5. 2004 Silver Medalist in the SESSA games

6. 2004 Bronze Medalist in the National Sports Festival


7. 2004 Pepsi Hockey League Champions


NATIONAL LEVEL


2003 Bronze Medalist in the 8th All African Games.