Kumasi Asante Kotoko is 81 years old
Record premier league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Wednesday August 31 turned 81 and celebrated their successes over the years.
The colourful celebration, which was held at the club’s Secretariat at Odeneho Kwadaso, a suburb of Kumasi, was highly patronised by current and past management members, chairman of Ghana League Club Association (GHALCA), old players, members of the current playing body, sponsors, partners and supporters.
Mr. Samuel Opoku Nti, General Manager of the club, recounted many successes chalked by the club in the past 81 years and congratulated all those who contributed to the success of the club.
He said the club was confronted with several challenges in recent times, but was confident they will overcome and regain their glory on the local scene.
Mr Opoku Nti, who is well remembered for scoring the winning goal of the clubs last continental club trophy, in 1983.
Mr Paul Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Club, said the club was grateful to all individuals, who through their relentless efforts, has the brought the club this far.
He said, “We intend to set up a fund for old and retired players, where a percentage of the gate proceeds will be channeled into the funds to take care of their needs.
Asante Kotoko was formed in 1935 and has since gone through series of transformation.
The name Asante Kotoko was proposed by Mr. J.S.K. Frimpong, since the club was from Asante land and the then Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, became the first patron of the club, when he endorsed the name Asante Kotoko.
The word ‘Kotoko’ in the Akan language means ‘Porcupine’ and it is the official symbol for the Ashanti Kingdom.
Asante Kotoko is most the successful club in Ghana winning the Ghana Premier league 23 times, and the first club to win the Ghana League, FA Cup and the Champion of Champions in the 2013/14 season.
The first FA Champions to receive the coveted title as the champion of champions and the first team from Ghana to lift Africa Club Championship.
Asante Kotoko are the first to play 22 leagues matches in a row without a defeat, which Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II commended them for.
In July 2011, Asante Kotoko and English Premier League club Sunderland signed a partnership agreement, under which Sunderland will offer them practical support and advice in youth coaching, player development, fitness and medical matters as well as football business strategy.
In 2006, the International Federation for Football History and Statistics named Asante Kotoko as Africa’s club of the century.
Source: GNA