Not long ago it was announced that Ghanaian Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko would play a game to honour former President, John Agyekum Kuffour on his 80th birthday in December this year.
Later it was announced that Hearts of Oak will be replaced by Ashanti Gold FC as President’s Kuffour’s JAK Foundation could not meet the demands of Hearts.
The Post can confirm that Accra Hearts of Oak demanded ¢100, 000 from the former President’s Foundation before they would play the game.
The decision to demand the huge amount of money is believed to have been taken after the management of the club met and discussed it.
Kessben FM’s sports analyst, Jeffery Asare who is a member of the organizers of the game said on Kessben FM that Hearts Managing Director, Mark Noonan told them they do not want to play the game but because it is in honour of former President Kuffour, they [Hearts of Oak] would discuss it.
Some football analysts and fans are of the view that Hearts asked for the huge amount of money just to find an excuse not to play the game. The main reason why Hearts did not want to play the game is that they do not want to suffer a third straight defeat at the hands of their archrivals in a single year.
The former President’s Foundation which is into leadership, governance and development is seeking to raise ‘¢80 million for 80 years’ and the organizers of the game have indicated the money from the game will be donated to the Foundation.
Former President Kuffour, a former Chairman for Kumasi Asante Kotoko will turn 80 this year and the game is to honour him for what he has done for the country.
