Former Accra Hearts of Oak Stalwart defender Anthony Yeboah, popularly known as Ember or Suhum Nsawam has bemoaned Ghanaians attitude of neglecting sports heroes and heroines in their time of need but shower unimaginable tributes upon their demise as if all was well with them.
Many sports heroes and heroines have in recent memory suffered poor treatment from Ghanaians and the latest one happens to be former Ghana Black Stars captain Akwasi Owusu who died last week as a pauper despite his great achievement both in Olympics games and as the longest Black Stars captain.
Anthony Yeboah who had a stint with Bofoakwa Tano and Accra Hearts of Oak before sojourning to Europe where he enjoyed a fruitful career believes such conduct has the tendency of killing the spirit of patriotism in our youth.
Sharing his concerns, he lamented that, a lot of the departed legends have died early as a result of impoverished conditions they endured. Yeboah believes, the government can initiate a project by putting those in need on monthly allowance which could help alleviate their hardship and also give them a dignified social life.
According to him, he received the demise of Akwasi Owusu with a shock. He narrated that, the information he gathered surrounding the living condition prior to his death has compelled him to initiate a project together with former colleagues Nana Darteh and Nana Eshun and Papa Yaw all of Bofoakwa Tano fame that will seek to aid those in need with financial assistance.
He says the trio is also in talks with other stakeholders to come on board to support this laudable initiative. According to him, People like Dan Owusu and Teacher Musah, the longest-serving team manager in the annals of Ghana football of Bofoakwa fame plus others should be treated as real legends.
He ended by advising the electronic media to employ sports legends as panelists to help resuscitate the dwindling fortunes of Ghana’s sports with their in-depth expertise and also give them some stipends as pertains in Europe.
Anthony Yeboah now works as CEO of Markus and Tony’s Sports Consult International based in the United Kingdom.
