By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 31-08-11

Kotoko’s Executive Chairman, Dr. K. K. Sarpong has told supporters that the club has done the right recruitment for the 2011/2012 season. According to the club chairman, he and his able managers have recruited the best crop of players on the market for the upcoming season adding that they would stop at nothing to lift the performance and image of Asante Kotoko.

The Executive Chairman made these pronouncements when addressing members of Circle 33 at Suhum in the Eastern Region. “We have done the right recruitment for the upcoming season. We have gotten the best. Last week, we named five of them. In the coming days, we will name another 11 including three Feyenoord youngsters to make it 16 players. All these players are quality materials who will help the team” explained Dr. Sarpong to the happy-looking supporters.

The subject of player recruitment and sale has dominated the news over the past weeks with spurious reports that Kotoko has sold 13 players with more on their way out. The Executive Chairman rebuffed claims that half of the players in the team has been sold saying that no player has gone anywhere. He revealed that even if Kotoko would sell Ahmed Toure and Nathaniel Asamoah – two of the club’s high performing players – the duo will not go at the same time.

He reminded supporters that prior to the signing 14 players in the second round of the 2010/2011 season, not many of them knew the likes of Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffu and Yaw Frimpong and how well their performance could positively turn around the fortunes of Kotoko.

Dr. Sarpong disclosed that the club has some good players such as Ahmed Toure who could be sold and the funds used to develop the club. This reporter observed that the Executive Chairman’s thorough explanation on player sale and recruitment went down well with the supporters who could be seen nodding their heads in affirmation throughout his speech.

On coaching, he hinted that Serbian trainer Bogdan Korak would not return for next season explaining that the right measures were being taken to get in place a strong technical team. He indicated that management’s plan to restructure the club was on course. “We have renovated our secretariat, we are building administrative structures; we will need training facilities and a lot more to get Kotoko at an enviable stage” said Dr Sarpong.