52-SEATER BUS FOR KOTOKO (GRAPHIC SPORTS, BACK PAGE)

HEADLINE sponsors of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, tiGo, have presented a $200,000 brand new Mercedes Benz Bus to the club at an impressive ceremony at the Manhyia Palace.
The 52-seater bus, which has a number of facilities including a place of convenience, fridge and a television set, was part of the sponsorship package of tiGo to Asante Kotoko.
Even though the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was not present at the ceremony last Friday, having travelled outside the country, his Amanhene and other chiefs who brought much life to the occasion, ably represented him.
The presentation itself was heralded by the throbbing of fontonfrom drums as the sizable number of Kotoko supporters who witnessed the event chanted the “Wo kum apem, a apem beba” slogan of the club.
Making the presentation, the Brand Manager of Millicom Ghana Limited, the Operators of tiGo, Nana Kwabena Ampratwum, said, “A number of factors have come together to ensure we are where we are today and we in tiGo will like to think we have played our part in no small way to ensure these recent success.”
He said tiGo would always keep to honouring its promises to the club in order to cement the relationship between the two sides.
He recalled as example the winning bonus of GH¢10,000 and an additional GH¢1,000 for each goal, which tiGo promised Kotoko in their second round league match against. He arts of Oak, which was readily paid to the club.
Nana Ampratwum was happy that the team showed great passion, creativity and zeal during the second round of the just-ended national league.
He stated that it was, therefore, not out of place for tiGo to associate itself with a great side like Kotoko, especially as the two sides have a lot of things in common.
He disclosed that over the next couple of weeks, tiGo and Kotoko would roll out a series of initiatives designed to deepen the relationship between the two sides, as well as give something back to the communities in which the company operates.
The Akyempimhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku, who spoke on behalf of Otumfuo, commended tiGo for the donation, saying it showed the fruitful relationship between the two sides.
He said the bus should mark the turning point in the performance of Kotoko as it would help address some of the challenges of the club.
Oheneba Poku cautioned the supporters of the club against making negative comments about the club on radio, saying. “Otumfuo takes a serious view of such behaviour.”
Present were the management members, sections of the club’s supporters and technical team including, Isaac “Opeele” Boateng, the assistant coach.