Kotoko Circles Council backs management

Kumasi, June 23, GNA - The Council of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Supporters Union (Circles) has disassociated itself from what it termed acts aimed at and calculated to destroy the very foundations of the great club.

In this regard, the Circles Council has assured the leadership of the club of its total support and resolve to ensure the success of the management of the club.

The Council also pledged to make the "Otumfuo Special Initiative" on Kotoko a success.

These were contained in a statement issued in Kumasi on Wednesday and signed by Mr Osei Boateng and Mr Godfred Boateng, National Circles Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The statement said it was aware of attempts by some individuals to use some personalities, the media and some organised groups within the club to destabilise the united front of the club for their selfish ends. It said Kotoko as an institution had undergone a series of changes and the baton of administration changed from one administration to another but that in spite of this, very little can be said about administrative structures and infrastructure having been put in place.

The statement said it was sad and worrying that a great club like Kotoko cannot boast of its own secretariat let alone a Club House and a stadium, something which in the view of the Council demeaned the status of the club.

It said it was in view of this that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Life Patron and owner of the club in his wisdom decided to instil some level of professionalism into the administration of the club to make it financial self-sustaining and ensure proper financial management and transparency in the administration of all the departments of the club.

This vision, the Circles strongly believed, culminated in the appointment of the 13-member Board of Directors who were mandated to appoint their own Chief Executive and management team, an exercise conducted transparently in a peaceful manner and a complete deviation from the old order when appointments were made from Manhyia.

The statement said the Circles Council realises the immense benefits and contributions this new arrangements will bring to Kotoko which should be embraced and supported to the fullest by the rank and file of the club.

The statement said the supporters should rather rally solidly behind the new management to deliver to the maximum instead of allowing themselves to be used as stooges to destabilise the united front of the club in order to derail its good course.

The statement emphasised that the rational for the formation of the Circles was to safeguard and protect the spiritual and material interest of Kotoko, as well as find possible avenues for creating wealth for the club and not to be used as agents for discord and disunity in Kotoko as enshrined in Article 11 of the Circles constitution. It therefore cautioned the Circles not to allow themselves to be swayed and used by some faceless individuals who will want to achieve nothing but their selfish gains at the expense of Asante Kotoko.

The statement warned the Circles that they could face stiffer punishment if any of them were found partaking in acts aimed at destroying the good course and smooth administration of the club. The Council therefore called on the teeming supporters of the fabulous club to open their eyes wide, read between the lines and be on their guard so that they were not misled by unscrupulous individuals.

"As Circles and organised supporters union, our goal is to contribute ideas aimed at helping to expand the support base of the club and also contribute financially and materially to ensure the growth and development of our club and not as an engine of disunity in Kotoko". 23 June 04