GHALCA rallies support for Kotoko accident victims
The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) is rallying for national support for Kumasi Asante Kotoko following last Wednesday’s tragic accident at Nkawkaw to make them both psychically and psychologically ready to compete in the Ghana Premier League.
Advertisement
The team’s equipment officer, Thomas Asare, died on the spot while several others got injured when the team’s bus ran into a stationary tipper truck loaded with fertiliser at Nkawkaw in the Eastern region.
Both the deceased and injured were initially sent to the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw before being transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi yesterday morning.
GHALCA Chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo, who joined the Kotoko management to address a press conference in Kumasi yesterday, said Ghana football without Kotoko was incomplete, hence the need for all to support for their early comeback.
Coach Steve Polack, the driver, Nana Berchie, and Ashitey Ollenu whose conditions remain quite severe will remain on admission until they improve.
All others, including the Cameraman of Kotoko Express newspaper, Gideon Boakye Botwe, who were part of the 18 players and five officials admitted have been discharged.
Team Doctor Michael Leat told the media that the discharged would be psychologically and physically re-examined on Saturday for further action (including surgery) to be taken.
Assistant Coach Godwin Ablordey, who was strapped in POP and walking with the aid of crutches, could barely sit when two FA officials visited the team at KATH yesterday.
GFA Spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara and acting FA General Secretary, Alex Asante, drove to meet with the team at the Holy Family Hospital en route to Kumasi to sympathise with them and to assure them of the FA’s support.
Ashitey, Baba Mahama, Ablordey, Polack and the driver appear to be the hardest hit when the accident happened.
He told the media in Kumasi yesterday that the recovery date of the injured could not be determined.
Typical of Asanteman, help has been pouring in from all angles since the news broke. Both the Regional Coordinating Council led by the regional minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) under the leadership of its CEO, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, each doled out GH¢ 5,000 while GHALCA and MTN made pledges to support the team.
