Why this hate campaign against Kingson?

Last week when Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah released his 25-man squad to begin preparation for next week’s World Cup qualifier playoff against Egypt, the inclusion of veteran goalkeeper Richard Kingson among four “returnees”, including Sulley Ali Muntari, Jerry Akaminko and Jordan Ayew, surprisingly dominated national discussions as to the wisdom in the recall of the experienced shot-stopper who had re-launched his career in Cyprus after staying away from the game for about two years.

Curiously, the coach named a squad depleted by the absence of some key defenders who have been ruled out of the October 15 match due to injury and suspension. But the debate centred on Kingson, instead of how the team could overcome the defensive challenges and the need to rally support behind the team.

It is not out of place for Ghanaians to subject the list of invited players to scrutiny, and the debate over the eligibility or otherwise of some particular players is normal practice. However, strangely, daggers were drawn against Kingson, who immediately became the subject of ridicule in both social media and on radio for being too old and, therefore, not meriting a place in the national team, as if he forced himself on the team.

Even though life sometimes has room for a little humour, the hate campaign against, perhaps, the most dedicated player of this generation was most appalling.

In fact, things got to a head on Monday when the Confederation of African Football, in unusual circumstances, was compelled to lays bare records on Kingson's age, denying the false representations in the Ghanaian media which claimed the Doxa Katokopi goalkeeper had varied ages in CAF’s records.

It is an undeniable fact that Kingson is the oldest and longest serving player in the national team, having played for the Black Stars at various times since making his international debut in 1996. And for all these years he has remained disciplined and dedicated to the sport, to the extent that even at a time when many thought his best days were over, he bounced back to play a key part in Ghana’s impressive performances at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments, as well as captaining the team to the final of the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

Sports is replete with inspiring stories of outstanding athletes who defied age and competed at the highest level. Names such as those of Peter Shilton, 39-year-old Ryan Giggs, Roger Milla, sprint queen Merlene Ottey, George Foreman, who returned from retirement to win a world title in heavyweight boxing, are among many of the rare breed of athletes.

The manner in which Kingson has resurrected his career in Cyprus at 35 to compete with younger goalkeepers for the No.1 position deserves praise and not condemnation, especially in an era when the commitment of some of our players has been called into question.

On a number of occasions, Ghanaians have driven experienced and dedicated players into retirement under the guise of being too old, robbing the nation of their invaluable services.

The situation in which Kingson finds himself today is similar to the circumstances which drove Black Stars’ skipper Asamoah Gyan into temporary retirement following a barrage of criticisms, insults and downright ridicule after the 2012 Nations Cup.

This paper is of the view that Ghana’s World Cup cause would be better served if Ghanaians rallied behind Coach Appiah and his players, instead of these needless personal attacks on the goalie, as we run the risk of shooting ourselves in the foot if, after demoralising him, Coach Appiah selects him to keep the posts in the most crucial game of our entire campaign.

Graphic Sports/Ghana