By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Okwahu United Football Club organized its historic inaugural supporters’ meeting to present essential plans for the next season, emphasizing efforts to achieve promotion to the Ghana Premier League (GPL), following almost 20 years in the lower leagues.
Affectionately nicknamed\xa0
Asaase Aban… Yente Gyae
A distinguished traditional club under the Kwahu Traditional Council (KTC), the team has shown impressive performances over the last three seasons, earning second and third positions in the Access Bank Division One League – Zone Three, offering a sign of optimism that with a little more effort, advancement to the premier league is achievable.
At the significant fans’ conference organized by the club along with its partners, it was disclosed that the Paramount Chief of the Kwahu Traditional Council and main financial backer of Okwahu United, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, provided an unannounced large sum to allow the team to restart training ahead of the upcoming season.
Speaking to his followers, he called on people from Kwahu, especially prominent entrepreneurs throughout the nation, to stand behind the team with monetary and operational assistance as an incentive to extract maximum performance from the players.
Stakeholders were called upon by Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III to assist in increasing the fundraising objective to GH₵1 million for the next season, aimed at supporting athlete well-being, transportation, facility requirements, and enhancing efforts toward securing promotion to the premier league.
“our cherished club faced relegation 19 years back, and with the 20th anniversary of this difficult departure approaching in 2006, we have to come together to secure its revival into the premier division. football has become a commercial venture, and funds are essential for making okwahu united successful once more. i call upon every native from kwahu and relevant parties to contribute an extra gh¢1 million to bolster the team and enhance management before implementing the new strategy aimed at restoring our former greatness,” he stated.
New supporters’ constitution
Before the conference, a five-person committee was assigned the task of preparing a preliminary paper to act as the guideline for the Okwahu United Supporters Union.
During the assembly, the five-person panel introduced the well-prepared fans’ charter, which, following evaluation, was accepted as the updated constitution of the Okwahu United Fans Association.
One of the constitutional amendments introduced a new identity for the club’s various supporter groups: each will henceforth be called a “Mountains.” The Nkawkaw Supporters Union has been renamed ‘Mountain One,’ the Accra support group is now known as ‘Mountain Two,’ and Kumasi is referred to as ‘Mountain Three’—this structural adjustment aims to enhance cohesion and bring together both local and overseas fans under one common symbol.
Supporters insurance package introduced
As a groundbreaking step to safeguard its followers, Okwahu United has entered into an agreement with NSIA Insurance Company Limited to offer a specialized insurance plan designed for the team’s fans. This initiative was inspired by a devastating incident during the previous season, where two spectators lost their lives after leaving a game. The program aims to offer protection against motorcycle accidents and other unforeseen events occurring at sports facilities.
It is thought that the club was the pioneer in the nation to provide this specific insurance policy aimed at its fans, highlighting Okwahu United’s dedication to supporter well-being.
Speaking about the insurance plan, Daasebre stated: “This insurance was created for dedicated followers, covering trips to and from match locations, events inside the stadium, or gatherings at home following victories, ensuring protection against unexpected situations. I encourage all fans to sign up with one of the local groups according to where they live, enroll in the insurance, and stay involved so that when difficulties arise, individuals will receive support.”
Issues at the stadium and monetary difficulties
Although there is hope and progress being made within the team, the club encounters major obstacles, such as the absence of a consistent home venue.
Okwahu United does not have an official home ground at present and must hold its home games at the Koforidua Sports Stadium in the regional capital, thereby separating the club from its local fans.
The Nkawkaw Sports Stadium initiative, intended to serve as the team’s long-term base and managed by the National Sports Authority (NSA), has faced delays over many years without significant advancement.
The former minister of agriculture and member of parliament representing the Abetifi constituency, Bryan Acheampong, promised to rebuild the Nkawkaw stadium for the team; however, disagreements with the NSA have posed challenges from the start of this year.
The club’s General Manager, Nana Kwame Dankwah, has requested the National Sports Authority to address unresolved issues involving Bryan Acheampong, accelerate the rebuilding of the Nkawkaw Sports Stadium, and reinstate genuine home-field benefits for Okwahu United.
In terms of player acquisition, Nana Kwame Dankwah stated that the team will see additions before the upcoming season. “Kumasi Asante Kotoko have sent six players to Okwahu United, Hearts of Oak have added five, and Bechem United have supplied one forward — these reinforcements offer an important lift for the club’s promotion goals,” he mentioned.
Nana Oduro Nyarko, the Administrative Manager of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) and the inaugural General Secretary of Okwahu United, spoke to the players and fans, delivering an inspiring reflection on the club’s history.
He reviewed the club’s history starting from when it was established in 1975 up until its notable achievements during the 1990s, highlighting Okwahu United’s perseverance as the initial team to face relegation but quickly make a comeback the next year.
He urged present-day athletes to gain self-assurance from this solid base and rich heritage, and to deliver their highest performance as the team gets ready to celebrate twenty years since dropping out of the Ghana Premier League.
The management of Okwahu United stated that the mix of freshly activated financial resources, structured fan groups, insurance coverage for supporters, new player arrivals, and outreach efforts to investors and officials form an all-encompassing plan aimed at bringing the team back to Ghana’s premier league.
The assembly included local chiefs and leaders from KTC, organizations based in Kwahu, indigenous people, delegates from NSIA Insurance, enthusiasts, and various interested parties.
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