MAY 9 Remembered In Kumasi

A series of activities and events have taken place in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital in remembrance of the Accra stadium disaster that claimed the lives of an estimated 126 fans during a football match between Accra Hearts Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko in 2001. This year will mark the 11th remembrance of a dark and bloody tragedy in Ghana. The annual event and activities to remember this sad day in our history in Ghana football is mainly spearheaded by Mr. Herbert Mensah, Kotoko Chairman at the time of the tragedy who has over the years organized special remembrance events and visits to families of the deceased fans. This year, the activities started earlier than May 9 because, according to organizers, mid-week will not allow some workers to participate in the planned activities. In a statement issued in Accra prior to the start of activities in Kumasi, Mr. Mensah said, �May 9th is not just about remembering the deceased but more about remembering the lessons we as a Nation learned from the biggest football stadium disaster in history.� Organizers also say the focus of this year�s remembrance is on the children of those who lost their lives. Apart from the May 9 walk which started from the Kumasi Cultural Center through some principal streets of Kumasi on Saturday MAY 5 and which received massive participation from the general public, there was also a football match among former players and other notable sports personalities later to mark the day on the same day. Among the notable personalities who took part in the WALK included main organizer Mr. Herbert Mensah, Alhaji Hearts, a patron of Accra Hearts of Oak football club, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh MP for Manhyia as well as many sports journalists, commentators and scores of football fans. The event in Kumasi also coincided with the 62nd birthday of Otumfuor Osei Tutu II. Life Patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC and witnessed a presentation of various items to families of the stadium disaster victims, a church service and a luncheon at Otumfuor�s palace on Sunday.