Asante Kotoko turned 84 years today.
A young driver, named Kwasi Kuma, led a group of 13 young men to form Kumasi Rainbow in 1924. That team went through phases of name change – from Kumasi Rainbow to Ashanti United, to Kumasi Titanics, to Mighty Atoms before it attained the lasting name Asante Kotoko following the involvement of the then Asantehene, Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II.
On this day (August 31) in 1935, the Club was officially established.
On this day 1935, a KING 👑 was born. 👌#AKSC #KotokoAt84 🎊 pic.twitter.com/h5VPWtzg4L
— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) August 31, 2019
In a signed statement on the occasion, Executive Chairman Kwame Kyei called on the Kotoko faithful to unite and pursue the greater good of the club.
“We are on course to achieving our aim in this season’s Caf Champions League since we are in the last knockout round of the competition. We have one hurdle to jump before we make it to the group stage for the first time in 13 years. While we look back on our achievements in the last year with glee, we embrace the reality that, we need to do more to improve on our successes.
“We, on that score, take a sober reflection on our failures – strategically devising all possible measures to widen our prospects. I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to anyone whose toe I may have stepped on, in the course of our work, not just to forgive but also forget it, in the supreme interest of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.
“I reiterate my desire, as the Chairman, to send our dear club back to its glory days – being the best locally and among the best on the continent. I sincerely appreciate the work done by my predecessors. The time has come for us to reunite as one family to push the club forward as there is a lot that we can achieve together,” read parts of the statement Saturday.
Asante Kotoko are record winners of the Ghana Premier League – 23 times – and have also won the FA Cup on nine occasions.
The Porcupine Warriors have two continental trophies in their cabinet – having won the 1970 and 1983 editions of the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now Caf Champions League).
Baba Yara Sports Stadium is the home grounds of Asante Kotoko.
Read in full, the 84th-anniversary statement by Kotoko’s Executive Chairman
Once again, the year has gone another full circle. We thank God that we are alive to see our dear club turn 84 years. We cannot thank God enough for His infinite mercies that have brought us this far and which has also given us the success story that has made us the shining light both at home and abroad.
We cannot proceed without first acknowledging the efforts of some individuals whose dedicated and relentless works led to the birth of this club in 1935. Legendary names like Akwasi Kumah, who formed the club; B. K. Edusei, Lawrence Yaw Mensah, James Frimpong, Alhaji Njee, Thomas Obeng Asare, all of blessed memory cannot be left out. The list is endless.
Of special mention, however, is our Owner and Life Patron, His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene; Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. We thank him for his invaluable counsel as well as the material and spiritual support we receive from him. To Kumasi Traditional Council and Asanteman Council; we say, thank you for your unwavering backing. We are also grateful to our proud supporters.
We also thank the media, who hold us in check over our actions and inactions; the current Management, former Managements and Boards, ex-players, present players, and everyone; who has been attending our matches. We are grateful to you all. It has been an eventful period between our last birthday and now. We take delight in our remarkable Caf Confederation Cup campaign last season; our Tier One Cup triumph and others that we won.
We are on course to achieving our aim in this season’s Caf Champions League since we are in the last knockout round of the competition. We have one hurdle to jump before we make it to the group stage for the first time in 13 years. While we look back on our achievements in the last year with glee, we embrace the reality that, we need to do more to improve on our successes.
We, on that score, take a sober reflection on our failures – strategically devising all possible measures to widen our prospects. I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to anyone whose toe I may have stepped on, in the course of our work, not just to forgive but also forget it, in the supreme interest of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.
I reiterate my desire, as the Chairman, to send our dear club back to its glory days – being the best locally and among the best on the continent. I sincerely appreciate the work done by my predecessors. The time has come for us to reunite as one family to push the club forward as there is a lot that we can achieve together.
Long Live Asante Kotoko, Long Live the fabulous family!
Wo Kum Apem a, Apem Beba!
Signed: Dr. Kwame Kyei, Chairman
