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Renowned journalist, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has hailed former Asante Kotoko Chairman Herbert Mensah for his enormous contribution to the growth of football in Ghana.
According to the indefatigable Asamoah Baidoo, Herbert Mensah elevated football administration in the country to a different level during his regime as the Chairman of Asante Kotoko.
READ ALSO : Herbert Mensah remembers May 9 disaster for the 20th time [+PHOTOS]
He disclosed that as an avid Hearts of Oak supporter, he could only envied the numerous goodies Asante Kotoko were having during the era of Herbert Mensah.
“Clearly, some of these young, bet-loving, foreign football-loving lads would not know how influential and impactful Herbert Mensah was to Ghana Professional Football”, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo posted on Facebook.
He continued that, “this man altered and elevated football administration in the country. From sponsorship to marketing, branding to facilities, Herbert opened our eyes and ushered a new era of football management.[ads4]
“As a Hearts of Oak supporter, I could not help but watch with such envy and admiration as this man fixed Kotoko.
“All we could do was just chase straws and answer by beating them on the pitch. That’s it – we couldn’t compete off the pitch.
“It is torrid to say but the fact is; throughout his tenure, while Kotoko wore quality, well-branded jerseys, Hearts donned those Kantamanto jerseys. I kid you not – go watch the tapes or check out the photos of old.
READ ALSO : VIDEO: Touching message from Herbert Mensah on Asante Kotoko 86th anniversary
“His exemplary business-savy model of football management is being emulated by many today. Give the man his flowers while he breathes!”[ads1]
Herbert Mensah is regarded as one of the best CEOs to have ever handled Asante Kotoko since the formation of the club in August 1935.
Mr Mensah was appointed board chairman of Asante Kotoko by the then Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, in 1999.
The ace administrator set out to restore the success of earlier glories of the then failing club by implementing a five-year plan, which included sponsorships, the introduction of professional training facilities, and a transparent financial approach to the books.
Herbert Mensah left Kotoko in 2003 and later became involved in running a rival club in the Ashanti area, Ashantigold.
In December 2004, Kotoko was runner-up in the African Cup Winners’ Cup and went on to achieve more success in the years that followed kind courtesy the conscientious works by Herbert Mensah.[ads2]
Herbert Mensah has been credited with making a major contribution to changing the face of Ghanaian profession football.
By 2004, he had established the SOS (Strategic Outsourcing Solutions) network, which provided management services to football and continues to be a link between grass-roots sport and the professional world..
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