Simpe Asante — A dedicated sports administrator
The mortal remains of a nearly forgotten astute sports administrator, Lt Col Simpe Asante, will be interred at the Osu Cemetery today after burial service at the Good Counsel Catholic Church, Airport West Accra. He died on February, 12 , aged 81.
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He was the special Assistant to Gen Kutu Acheampong, head of state and Commissioner for sports in the mid-70s.
In his capacity as special assistant to the Head of State, Simpe Asante was virtually in charge of Ghana sports and he actually lived to expectation.
An accomplished physical education specialist, his military background made him quite a forceful character and he left no doubt in the minds of everybody he met that he was actually in charge.
It is to his eternal credit that during his tenure funding for sports promotion was no problem. In football for instance, Ghanaian clubs for CAF Competitions were fully sponsored by the state.
He also made the Black Stars a show piece and did everything possible to achieve his dream of Ghana winning the African Cup for the then historic third time, and for keeps in 1978.
It was a calculated plan. Prior to the tournament, the 1977 local league was made somewhat a non-competitive one round affair to ensure full concentration on the Black Stars who toured Brazil twice for training.
Operating from the 11th floor of the State House, Simpe Asante was a real colossus and made sure to keep NSC Chief Executive Orleans Pobee and GFA Chairman Major D.O. Asiama on their toes.
Simpe Asante built a special iron clad cage at the Accra Sports Stadium to keep the African Cup for posterity and it will be interesting to find out where the trophy is located at the moment.
In Boxing, a National Boxing Promotions Syndicate was formed with Justice D. F Annan as Chairman specifically charged to produce a World Champion. Featherweight Champion D.K Poison was lucky to be sponsored by the syndicate and through prudent management, by September 1975, D K Poison was World Champion.
Unfortunately changes in the military leadership in July 1978 that ousted Kutu Acheampong from power had a corresponding effect on Simpe Asante’s status. He also appeared to be a victim of the June 4, 1979, AFRC in insurrection and he reportedly left to stay in the UK for a very long time.
Ghana has lost a dedicated Sports Administrator, May his soul rest in peace.