Nana Akuffo-Addo (left) in a hearty chat with Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio (right). With him are Akuamoah Toyota (2nd right) and Reverend Osei Kofi (2nd right), all retired footballers.
Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com
By William Yaw Owusu
Thursday June 2, 2011.
It was a moment of nostalgia for Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, the renowned football coach when Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) visited him to offer his encouragement and support for his speedy recovery.
Sir Cecil as he is affectionately called has been sick for about two years and has not been able to do active coaching ever since.
The NPP flag bearer is said to have had a stint with Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Republicans in 1962 where Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio Jones was an active member of the team and they have been friends till date.
Nana Akufo-Addo, accompanied by Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, Executive Director of Danquah Institute and other aides were met on arrival at the coach’s Kaneshie home by Reverend Osei Kofi, one of Ghana’s greatest footballers ever and Akuamoah Toyota who once played for Accra Great Olympics.
Welcoming the NPP flag bearer, Akuamoah Toyota who spoke on behalf of Sir Cecil commended Nana Akufo-Addo for remembering his old friend saying “he will forever be grateful for your gesture.”
Nana Akufo-Addo for his part underscored the need for the nation to reward its footballers and other athletes who have made significant contributions towards the development of sports.
Later in an interview Reverend Osei Kofi, one of the greatest footballers ever to play for Ghana said the time has come for the government to set up a fund for retired footballers and other athletes as it is done for civil and other public servants.
“They have contributed their quota towards the development of sports and this is the time for them to be rewarded for their sacrifices.”
“We sacrificed a lot for this nation but almost all our members are now wallowing in abject poverty.”
The NPP flag bearer later presented undisclosed amount of money and some items to Sir Cecil.
Sir Cecil had an illustrious coaching career including Accra Great Olympics, Okwawu United, Stade Abidjan, Goldfields Football Club (now Ashanti Gold) and Academy, Black Meteors (U23), Black Starlets (U17), Accra Hearts of Oak where he won the CAF Champions League, senior National team Black Stars, Benin National Team and Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals.
No comments:
Post a Comment