Time without number, we have raised the issue of honouring our heroes. Many have said that a nation that does not honour her heroes is not worth dying for but must we permit this statement to stay with us forever? What are we doing to ensure this statement has no relevance in our current generation? There is a lot we can do.
Our current heroes must be honoured before they die; I make a case for Sani Anokye Demdem of Anokye Stars in Kumasi. He is one of the few coaches I think the GFA in particular and Ghana in general must honour very soon. He is approaching his 70s.
He has produced over 5000 players for Ghana out of which over 2500 have played for our various national teams and many clubs both local and foreign over a 48-year period.
He started colts football when he was just 20 years and is 68 now. Am not exaggerating but, Sani Anokye, head coach of Anokye Stars has served this country.
I have read a lot of tributes following the deaths of our most experienced coaches in the last few months including C.K. Gyamfi, Jones Attoquayefio, Ben Koufi, Osam Doudo, Coach Afranie and recently Sam Addy. I was shocked after reading those tributes for just one reason and asked myself several questions. Couldn’t we have praised them while they were alive? Must we wait for them to die before we come out singing them praises?
A few weeks ago, former Ghana coach, Herbert Addo, the trainer of the current Ghana FA Technical Director Oti Akenteng, complained bitterly of neglect. Herbert feels neglected after several years of national service to the state and many clubs including Kotoko, Hearts and AshGold.
In a recent interview, Herbert said:
“I was so shocked when I saw the Graphic on Monday with photos of E.K Afranie’s burial. Many people dressed in splendid Kente and even the president was there. The likes of Osam Duodu have all left us when we could have done something better for them before their departure.”
“For the past six months I have not had any visit from the Ghana FA but for some few individuals. I am disappointed but they need to keep track on those who have served the nation so at least they could get free medical attention”, he told Starr Sports.
Ponder over these words of the former Ghana coach – time to wake up from our slumber.
My argument for Sani Anokye Demdem and many of his kind pans from the fact that he has contributed to defining the lives of many Ghanaians who have turned to be super stars.
He took young and helpless Ghanaians from the streets and gave them a meaningful life. He did not contribute in building just the individual but the nation at large and football in particular.
Defining the lives of these players by taking them from the streets, preventing them from becoming armed robbers and the like is a major contribution to the gross economic development of the country by reducing the rate of unemployment.
I can’t remember all the players Anokye has produced but I can swiftly recollect the likes of former Ghana striker Tony Yeboah. Many contend that Ghana is yet to produce a striker of his caliber but very few know Sani Anokye groomed him, trained him and made him who he is today. Yeboah played for the Black Stars and many big clubs in Europe including Frankfurt and Leeds United.
Other players include former Kotoko assistant coach Michael Osei who also played for the Black Stars and other junior national teams. He also played for Kotoko and many European clubs.
Do you remember Isaac Kwakye and Isaac Boakye? Both played for Asante Kotoko and the Black Stars. Well, they are both players of Anokye Stars.
I can’t forget Stanley Aborah, Osei Barnes, Prince Opoku Polly, William Thompson and Kofi Owusu who all played for one national team or the other.
I also remember the new generation of players he has produced including former Kotoko winger Francis Akwaffo, former Hearts midfielder Kofi Abanga, current Ismaily influential midfielder Torric Jebrin, John Nyamekye of Bechem United and Bashiru Osman ‘Gambo’ who played for King Faisal, Kotoko and AshGold.
Others are Kwame Bonsu of Swedish side Gelfle IF, Bright Nsiah of Aduana Stars who played for Berekum Arsenal and Heart of Lions earlier, Larbi Koomson of Medeama and Kotoko, Richard Antwi formerly of Liberty Professionals and Thomas Boakye of Swedish side Varbergs Bois FC.
The tall list also include former Hasaacas player Lawrence Aidoo who is now out of the country.
This is but a few of the players who have been groomed, nurtured and brought up by the 68-year old and promises to bring on more as he keeps training and coaching other young talents.
I believe there are several others who are working assiduously to give people a meaningful future, but Sani Anokye Demdem deserves to be honoured before he dies.
Let’s honour our heroes before they die for the long appetizing tributes we write do nothing for them after their deaths.
By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS