Kotoko, Hearts call for enhanced security at match venues

Ghanaian club heavyweights, Ku­masi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, are working on detailed propos­als to elevate Ghana football.

This follows the recent death of staunch Kotoko supporter, Francis Yaw Frimpong, aka Pooley, who was stabbed at Nsoatre­man where the home team engaged Kumasi Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League game.

It has sparked debate in the sporting media about the need to maintain high safety and security standards at match venues.

Following a meeting last Wednesday, the two clubs issued a joint statement emphasising the ne­cessity for increased security at various match venues to secure and protect the lives of all parties.

The two es­teemed teams have under­scored their unified dedica­tion to tackling the pressing concern of security at match venues throughout the league.

The announcement pre­ceded their engagement with the Executive Committee of the GFA and according to the clubs, the tragic and unfortunate incident involv­ing the loss of Nana Pooley, a die-hard Kotoko fan, was a poignant reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety of all football fans.

“Both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko are resolute in their belief that such incidents must be prevent­ed in the future,” the statement said.

Hearts also expressed their condolences to the Kotoko fam­ily for the loss and assured that the death of Nana Pooley would not be in vain.