Accra, May 18, GNA - Lepowura Alhaji Nuru Deen Jawula, former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has stressed the need for Ghanaians to recognise the contributions of their heroes and reward them accordingly. He said there is therefore the need for the sporting public and administrators to revise their notes about the capabilities of local coaches and sportsmen and women who have contributed in diverse ways to put the country's name on the international calendar.
Alhaji Jawula made the call when he launched a book entitled "The success story of Sellas Tetteh, the 2009 award winning African coach" in Accra on Tuesday.
Coach Tetteh led Ghana's Black Satellites to win the 2009 U-20 FIFA World Cup when they beat Brazil to be the first African country to win the World Cup in Egypt and is now the head coach of Rwanda national team. Present at the launch were various sports personalities including Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Charles James Aryee, Felix Anshong, George Andah, MTN Marketing Officer, coaches Osam Doudu, Sam Arday and Karim Zito as well Harry Zakhour, Alhaji 'Hearts' Braimah, Adjin Tettey, Oheneba Charles, Jordan Anaglah, Nana Nti and Eddie Ansah, all from the football fraternity. Alhaji Jawula recommended the book, which he said tells the story of the coach from his apprentice days, up to his coaching prowess with other teams and the national U-20 team in Rwanda and Egypt, where he chalked success after success.
He noted that coaching has its own cultural undertones and its own system of play and it is the ability of the good coach who can impart such know-how to his players which has ensured that coach Tetteh perfected the Ghanaian mentality to outwit the Brazilians.
The former football administrator therefore called on the Ghanaian authorities to give due recognition and confidence to local coaches to handle the national teams, since a number of them have demonstrated their capabilities at the African Nations Cups, at the youth levels at Ecuador and Egypt. Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports said coaches are unsung heroes saying "when a team chalks success, the credit is often given to the players but are condemned when the team fails".
He noted that the time has come for all stakeholders in sports and the sporting public to contribute and ensure that "we all crave for a Ghanaian coach to handle our national teams since we have the talents to achieve the needed success".
Coach Tetteh said the book is a collection of his exploits that tells a story of his coaching ability over the years' and it is based not only on Ghana's victory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, "but gives an insight about the indigenous deeds of a local coach and what he is capable of doing". He said the book is a legacy for the future generation and meant to inspire other coaches on the local scene to aspire to achieve what their counterparts are doing and can also do.
The first book was bought by MTN for 5,000 Ghana cedis with Liberty Professionals buying the next one for 3,000 Ghana cedis, Accra Hearts of Oak, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Unibank bought a book each for 1,000 Ghana cedis.
Real Tamale United, Accra Great Olympics, Berlin FC of Berekum, Liberty Oldies, Nigeria All Stars bought a book each for 500 Ghana cedis, Liberty Fitness Club purchased a book for 400 Ghana cedis, Tudu Mighty Jets, 200 Ghana cedis.
Individuals including Adjin Tettey, a veteran sportsman bought a copy for 500 Ghana cedis, Kenneth Asare, 1,500 Ghana cedis, George Afriyie 500 Dollars and Nana Kwame Amankwah 100 Pounds.
