The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, attended the End of Season Awards night organised by newly-promoted Premier League outfit, Vision FC, on Sunday June 30, 2024.
President Simeon-Okraku praised the club for their dogged determination, focus, resilience and commitment in securing a historic qualification to the elite division of Ghana football.
Ten (10) awards were handed to individuals for their significant contributions to the forward march of the Ghana Premier League new boys on Sunday night at the Awards gala held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
The President took the opportunity to eulogise Club President Michael Osekre, for his foresight in identifying and hiring a young and talented coach Hamza Obeng Mohammed, who masterminded the side’s qualification to the top-tier of Ghanaian football.
“I am very happy today. Happy in the sense that when you dream and see a vision and act on it and its actualised, you should be happy. We are told that 25-years ago, there was a dream. Twenty-five (25) down the line, we’re realising the vision. It’s been 25-years of an imperfect pathway. It’s been 25-years of self-belief, dedication and determination to realise the dream,” he said
“I am very happy today. Happy in the sense that when you dream and see a vision and act on it and its actualised, you should be happy. We are told that 25 years ago, there was a dream. Twenty-five (25) years down the line, we’re realising the vision. It’s been 25 years of an imperfect pathway. It’s been 25 years of self-belief, dedication and determination to realise the dream,” he said
“First of all, I will pay huge respect to the technical team led by Hamza (Obeng Mohammed). I remember the day the President of this club (Michael Osekre), came to inform me about his decision to employ Hamza. I thought it was not the best idea and made this known to Michael on the two occasions on which he sought my opinion. Michael was persistent and ultimately went on to hire him because of his belief in the young man.”
“Today, Hamza has led a team of dedicated warriors into the Premier League,” he said, amidst applause. There is one good thing to learn from the interaction between my good self and Michael (Osekre). Team work pays, team work wins and team work is always the way. Michael identified a talent in Hamza, didn’t relent despite the doubt and it has eventually ended in praise.”
President Simeon-Okraku offered advice to Hamza Obeng Mohammed, who will now be the club’s First Team Assistant Coach
“I want to tell Hamza that if he keeps to his way and retains the quality of being a team player, he will always be a winner. Today should be the beginning of many wins for Hamza as a Coach, for the men who believe in his work, and for the people he’ll be working with on this journey.”
“Hamza is a winner today because he worked in tandem with the management of the team. Hamza, keep to your virtues, your quality, beliefs and team work; these will take you very, very far.” he advised the young former Hearts of Oak and Medeama assistant coach.
“It is very important for all of us to appreciate the work of our coaches. It is also important for us to honour the men who have secured the honours. You guys have done it. You should be proud of the investment in Vision Football Club. You should be proud of this achievement. Your names will go down into the history books as the foremost group that qualified this team to the Premier League of Ghana.
The President underlined the sharp difference between the Premier League and the country’s second-tier league.
Credit: ghanasoccernet.com
