Remember C.K.Gyamfi and Osam Duodu

I commend the government for rewarding the 71 members of the retired members of Black Stars teams that made Ghana proud in 1963,1965,1978 and 1982. Even though the monetary package is not encouraging considering the sacrifices they made, but its commendable that this government has been bold to announced them this package. Even though the 1.7 million GHc is inadequate considering their sacrifices and the long wait for this day. considering the current exchange rate this is next to nothing but like I said its better than nothing

I was a very young kid during the 1965 tournament, but I was privileged to hear most of the discussions on the tournament because we lived in between the homes of Addoquaye Laryea and Henry Lante France who was the regular Goalkeeper for Accra Heart Oak and a close friend of the Captain of the team Charles Addo Odametey while Lante France was training with the reserve team Auroras and a student of Oreilly Secondary School.

Then came the 1978 African Cup of Nations which Ghana won for keeps in Ghana. I remember vividly the team undertook two training tours to Brazil and the late Col I K Acheampong has appointed a Special Assistant in charge of Sports, Col Simpe Asante to oversee the welfare of sports. As a teenager whenever the team played a trial match we were there and occasionally the team while play against the select side from either the southern or the northern sector at Mamprobi Hearts Park.

I was a living witness when these players were promised a house each at the Accra Sports Stadium while Colonel I K Acheampong was presenting the covet trophy to the captain of the team . That promised was never fulfilled and the military leader was overthrown in a palace coup. Till this day the captain of the 1978 team, Awuley Quaye lives in his old house near Dr Nanka Bruce Junior High School and former Radiantway Preparatory School. He continued to ply his trade with Accra Great Olympics thereafter . This gentle and tall player nicknamed Fooyoo will daily walk 5 days a week from his home at the north end of Korle Gonno through the Ansah Nunoo road near the Korle Bu bus stop to board a trotro to work in the industrial area after he has captained the Ghana Black Stars to their third trophy and opportunity to be the show piece of African soccer. I thought they teams have been long over due for recognition and reward.

Similarly another captain of the 1982 victorious team Emmanuel Quarshie, also went through very difficult times after serving mother Ghana for many years . He was among the very few players who won two of out of the 4 trophies Ghana ever won , yet we were all witnesses to his battle with his throat cancer and how the GFA responded . The currently leadership and management under Kwesi Nyantekyi , looked on unconcern until one of his colleague drew the attention of his former team Zamalek of Egypt who without any hesitation flew him for a treatment which gave him some relief until he passed on to eternity.

The Ghana Football Association could have taken the initiative to create a platform for the welfare of these national heroes instead they are enriching themselves for the foundation the sweat of these retired players have laid.

Whilst commending the government I believe there is some persons who have been omitted from the reward package

Soccerhene Charles Kumi Gyamfi and Fred Osam Duodo are two coaches who coached the winning teams of 1965 and 1978 but their names have completely been omitted . I agreed that they are not players and may have been rewarded by their employers yet they need to be rewarded alongside the teams ,more especially since they are still alive. C K Gyamfi was both a player and a coach considering the tireless effort in building a winsome team to conquer African. I therefore call on the government to consider including them in the list . The omission of these two local coaches will be worse than the long neglect of the players

I believe the Minister for Sports Elvis Afriyie Ankrah who has worked on these issue tirelessly, will create a grand occasion to reward these player by getting his marketing outfit to organize a ceremonial match befitting their sacrifices between two top teams to make them have a feeling of recognition and appreciation by the sports family

In the United States every one who has sacrificed for the nation is adequately rewarded ,recognized and appreciated at all times and most times made to present trophies for important sports events like the presentation of the league trophy to Asante Kotoko this past weekend.

Mr Afriyie Ankrah, unfortunately your administrator in charge of soccer Kwesi Nyantekyi, is unintelligent and clueless so I was very glad when you took the initiative to invite the retired stars and will urge and encourage you to continue with your good work to appreciate them. But please remember C K Gyamfi and Osam Duodu ,they deserved to be appreciated and recognized.