By Ken Bediako
Outspoken sports administrator, Herbert Mensah says Ghana has so much talent to be mediocre in sports, especially football. He called on sports leaders, particularly football, to do the right things to ensure that the abounding talents are well harnessed. I
agree with him. The wizard Public Relations man, made such a huge impact on Ghana football when managing Asante Kotoko and he is fully qualified to make this bold analysis of Ghana football.
Herbert was speaking at the 7th Ghana Football Awards ceremony organised by Football Impact Africa at the International Conference Centre in Accra on Saturday where he was honoured alongside his “chief rival cum bosom friend,” Harry Zakkour of Accra Hearts of Oak fame.
Harry and Herbert are two paddies who decades ago, handled the two great rivals in Ghana football, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko concurrently. And they made the Ghana Premier League tick almost, to a fault the cynics would say.
Matches between Hearts and Kotoko filled the stands to capacity. Standards of play were admirably high and fans of these two glamorous teams really felt a sense of belonging. The two supporter groups, Hearts Chapters and Kotoko Circles, were well organised and contributed financially to the running of the clubs. Football mania was all over the place.
Indeed, Hearts-Kotoko matches were hyped to such an extent that it threatened to be a security problem. No wonder the nation had that explosion of May 9, 2001 where 126 fans were killed in a stampede at Accra Stadium after a typical Hearts-Kotoko league match.
Suffice to say fans had their moneys worth because the players were highly motivated to give of their best. The two stalwart administrators both showed class even though Harry Zakkour really had the upperhand leading Hearts to a record six back to back league titles. Herbert’s troops gave Hearts tough challenge including CAF Cup final but lost at the famous Baba Yara Stadium in the Garden City.
Like some twin brothers, Harry and Herbert teamed up beautifully and showed the nation how to get the fans to the stadium. After making such massive impact, the two talkatives quietly left the front seat more than a decade ago with an impeccable record of raising high interest in the game nationwide.
The situation is just the opposite now. But they are still alive and kicking. Those of us privileged to be at the awards show saw the two gentlemen full of vim and showing concern for the present low state of our football.
And you can trust Herbert. He pulled no punches and told it as it is. Ghana football really deserves better. In my candid opinion, both Herbert and Harry appear to have the energy and passion to contribute to the upliftment of the game.
Let’s sink our pride and tap the knowlege of these men of substance. Bring some of these oldies on board to help steer Ghana football to its expected high level.
Incidentally, I was also honoured for what the organisers described as my contributuon to the development of football through what I will call my unsolicited writings.
The late Zac Bentum, Patron of Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs and GFA Chairman 1982 -1983 said, “you have to blow your own horn at times so others don’t blow and discordant tunes.”
This explains why I am indulging my readers with the citation given to me by the organisers of the football awards. Here we go:
“In honour of a towering figure whose pen chronicled the heartbeat of Ghanaian football long before the digital age, and whose words ignited national pride inspired generations and elevated the craft of sports journalism. Mr Ken Bediako, you are a pioneer, a standard bearer and story teller whose passion for the game have shaped public discourse and preserved the history of Ghanaian football with grace, wit and integrity.
“Your decades of unbroken service to journalism, marked by unmatched clarity, fairness and deep insight have made you not only a voice of the sport but also one of its most respected custodian.
“Through your work, Ghana’s footballing legacy has been recorded for posterity and given the dignity it deserves. For your immeasurable contribution to the growth, understanding and appreciation of football in Ghana, the Ghana Football Awards is proud to confer upon you the Living Legend award.
Ayekoo Mr Ken Bediako. Your name is etched in the annals of Ghanaian football forever.
Sgnd Karl Tufuoh, Board
Chairman, Football Impact Africa.”
This is quite inspiring. As a sign of respect, I will keep writing till my two former editors at Daily Graphic, Cameron Duodu and Elizabeth Ohene lay down their pens.
Cheers everybody. Keep loving sports.
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