By: Thomas Boakye-Agyemang

Date: 08-07-11

Former national and Asante Kotoko  player, Isaac Otoo, has called on former sportsmen  to close ranks and unite for their personal good as well as for the good of  the current and future generation of  sportsmen.

The former player who is now domiciled in Germany believes the time  has come for footballers especially who toiled for their nation to be taken  care of as unlike present day players, nothing much was gained financially in  the past.

This message was sent by Otoo at a  ceremony organized by the Ashanti Region Old Players Association  in Kumasi to  present a wheel chair he Otoo  sent through the association for Kofi Nnum, also a former  player.

Kofi Nnum whose leg was amputated after a motor accident in Sunyani was present at the ceremony and also re-echoed the sentiments by Isaac Otoo.

The tearful Nnum thanked the old players and his fellows for the kind gesture as he received the wheel chair.

Black Stars’ team manager, Opoku Afriyie who is also the chairman of the association  expressed worry that most former players are now beggars on the streets and therefore expressed the need for them to join hands to help one another.

He called for more of such gestures especially from players currently playing, adding that there should also be a way for players to contribute through SSNIT so as to guarantee their future.

The association in Ashanti has currently purchased a bus which is being used for income generating purposes.