By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 25-08-11

FA and International Relations Manager, Jerry Asare has given high marks to Kotoko’s recent tour of Serbia saying that the 12-day training exercise was extremely successful.

According to him Kotoko stands to benefit in the long term from that the tour.

Speaking to Kotoko Express on Sunday, Jerry Asare, who doubles as a Board Member, also praised all who made the tour successful especially Dr. K. K. Sarpong who he described as a visionary leader bent on transforming Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Jerry Asare said the tour was successful because among other things it afforded the players the unique opportunity of training and playing highly competitive matches that brought out the best in them.

“There was great difference in their performance as seen at home and what we saw there. So we asked why” said the FA & International Relations Manager.

“There are many lessons we can draw from what they told us” he added.

That the players’ remarkable show in Serbia was partly influenced by the urge to impress scouts for lucrative contracts is an opinion that cannot be contested.

However, according to Jerry Asare some of the players disclosed that they feel too much pressure when playing in front of supporters at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

 One of the exercises management is likely to undertake ahead of the new season would be thoroughly educate the teeming fans to be patient with the team at all times said Jerry Asare.

Aside giving exposure to the players which could result in some of them earning lucrative contracts in future, Jerry Asare said the tour also gave the club deeper insights into its rebuilding and restructuring programme.

“A site we visited which is owned by one of the clubs looks much like the projections we have made for Adako Jachie. And the chance of seeing that is greatly going to help us with the vision Dr. Sarpong has underlined concerning the Adako Jachie Project” noted Jerry Asare.

Jerry Asare predicted that Kotoko could be the team to beat particularly with the recruitment drive for the upcoming season.