Mohammed Ahmed Polo (right) watches on as Mr Kurt Simeon-Okraku reieves the first copy of the book from Nii Amarkai Amarteifio (right), chairman for the occasion

GFA boss eulogises Mohammed Polo at book launch

Kwame Larweh Sports News Jul - 17 - 2022 , 18:16

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has eulogised Ghana football legend, Mohammed Ahmed Polo, for his contribution to football in the country and said his greatness should be celebrated and preserved to inspire future generations of players.

Describing Polo as one of the finest players to ever grace Ghana football, he said the FA would provide support for Polo as he planned a nationwide talent hunt and development for the next generation of players.

Speaking at the launch last Friday in Accra of Polo’s autobiography: ‘Polo, The Magnificent: The story of the Dribbling Magician’, Mr Simeon-Okraku said as a token of the FA’s appreciation of Polo’s contribution to Ghana at club and national level, the football governing body would take the retired player and coach to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to inspire and motivate the national team players.

"Mohammed Polo has come and done his bit, it is left with me and you to also do our part in our mission to make our dear nation great and strong.

“He will be with us on the flight to Qatar, which will be our token of appreciation. When you do your bit and sacrifice for our dear country, we will say thank you,” Mr Simeon-Okraku stated, after which he purchased a copy of the book for GH¢50,000 and admonished Ghanaians to patronise the book, authored by Nii Odai Anidaso Laryea and published by DAkpabli & Associates, to know about the career of the man famously known as the ‘Dribbling Magician’ and the 'Dribbling Professor' in his heyday.

Ghana’s finest

Polo, 65, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to emerge from Ghana. He was named the SWAG Footballer of the Year in 1974 and went on to win many individual and team laurels at Hearts of Oak, and won the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations with the Black Stars..

He scored 20 goals in over 50 appearances for the Black Stars in a career that spanned three decades.

As a coach, Polo has handled clubs like Hearts, Great Olympics and Malian side.