Last Thursday, 10th
February 2010, could forever be engraved on the mind and
thoughts of Kotoko’s Serbian coach, Bogdan Korak as the they he
had a real feel of what could be termed true tradition of
Asanteman.
That was the day
Korak and his training colleague, Slobodan Gnjidic, were
officially introduced to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at a short and
impressive ceremony at the Manhyia Palace
in Kumasi.
Thursday being
one of the important days that Otumfuo sits in state to
adjudicate cases of litigation and chieftaincy, and also receive
guests, all courtiers at the palace wore their traditionally
prescribed ‘kuntunkuni’ cloths and so the hundreds of people
made it look like a sea of black cloth.
This site was the
first thing that the coaches encountered at the palace and
having lived in Ghana for some time now and knowing what it
signifies for an Asante to wear an all black attire, it raised a
sort of fear in them.
This could be
observed from the close walking distance they kept with the
Executive Chairman, Dr. K. K. Sarpong as he freely interacted
with people at the palace.
The encounter
with the King was brief and poignant with many experiences, but
the one that Korak himself admitted and spoke about to the king
was his feeling of an authoritative aura around Otumfuo.
“I must say that
I am honoured to appear before the King today and I must say
that I feel an intense aura around the King that I am shivering
in my legs from it”.
“I feel your
power as King and owner of the club I coach and therefore would
not do anything that would jeopardize the opportunity that I
have by working with your club”.
With the meeting
ended and a memorable photo taken with the King, Korak had an
informal conversation with Kotoko Express and during that made
some profound confessions about the meeting.
“Before, I was
feeling normal and ok, especially when Dr. Sarpong assured me
that there was nothing to be afraid of at the palace”.
“But when Otumfuo
was ushered into the sitting area by his retinue, I then began
to feel tensed and realized that I was not at any normal place
to feel as such”.
“I was also
impressed with the speech he made especially on how he will give
me the fullest of support as the coach of his club”.
“Generally, I was
so impressed with the King that I can sum up my total felling as
a big honour to have been hosted by him”.
