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Former Asante Kotoko chairman, Herbert Mensah says Ghanaians are yet to appreciate the lessons of the May 9 disaster.
Herbert Mensah who was an eyewitness during the disaster that claimed 126 lives in a game between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko emotionally recounts the happenings and concludes that we have learnt no lesson as a people.
The Ghana Rugby chair claims per what he saw on the May 9, 2001, Ghanaians shouldn’t go to the stadium with weapons or involve in any physical assaults amidst football being an emotional game.
“Every year, I’m asked whether lessons have been learnt, and I’m not sure my brother.
READ ALSO : Nothing has been learnt from the May 9th Stadium Disaster ; Joseph Hendricks
When you hear people taking gun shot and when people are physically assaul’ng one another at the stadium then it appears as though the lessons are not learnt.
“Football is such an emotional game but its so important that we take a sense of responsibility, when I was the chairman of Asante Kotoko, there’s no kore beau’ful sight than seeing a vehicle coming to the stadium with Hearts or Asante Kotoko flag on it.
“I will walk to the stadium and hold Harry Zakour’s hand, Kumasi is our home but I have to show that beyond football
“In one match when Jacob Nettey received a stone to the head on the field of play and was bleeding, I went down[from my VIP seat] went into the stadium to hold Jacob Nettey’s hand in front of the crowd, to show that we don’t do that, it’s not acceptable.
“So, we have to continue to show that, so if like me you have carried bodies [injured and dead people],
if like me on that faithful night you went and realise the back gate was locked.
If like me you were able to see the crowd cry and screaming and people try to get out and could not and the smell of teargas was killing everybody.
“If like me you carry the body you do not know whether it’s Kotoko or Hearts, its human body that’s all that matters.
If you live through that then you should have
the common sense to never to do that again, never to use a weapon, never to use your fist – the ambulance service and the security service had gone” – he concluded.
The former football administrator yearly with support from donor’s support wellbeing of victims and families of the disaster and by so create awareness on the dangers associated with allowing our emotions to lead us in the game.
Saturday, May 9, 2020 will be the 19th anniversary of the May 9th disaster which claimed 126 lives and left many in a sorry state.
