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Fortia takes over Ashgold
Accra, Oct 9, Ghanadot/GNA –
Fortia Limited, an International Sports Management
Consortium has taken over premiership outfit, Obuasi
Ashantigold Sporting Club.
The take over was made possible after the British Virgin
Island-headquartered unit acquired the entire shareholdings
of the Premier club from AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited.
The consortium which has former Kumasi Asante Kotoko Chief
Executive, Herbert Mensah as Chief Consultant, will be in
charge of the day-to-day administration of the Club with the
objective of propelling it to greater heights.
Christian Rampa Luhembwe, Vice President of Anglo-Ashanti,
West Africa Division announcing the take-over on Thursday in
a press release copied to GNA Sports explained that his
company settled on Fortia Limited, based on their experience
in Sports Management after months of deliberations.
“Anglogold Ashanti is a mining company with no experience in
football administration and we decided to go for an
institution with requisite skill and knowledge to drive the
Club forward.”
He explained that the deal was inclusive of the transfer of
ownership, running and direction of the Club with positive
heights as the target.
Luhembwe reiterated that Obuasi will remain the home base of
the Club while the identity of the Club remains unchanged
with an Anglogold Ashanti representation on the new Board.
“All changes the new team desires must be done in
consultation with the Anglogold Ashanti Board”, he added.
The Vice-President paid glowing tribute to Dr Sam Jonah,
former Chief Executive of Anglogold Ashanti and other past
administrators for their contribution towards the success of
the football club which was formed in 1978.
Lawrence Otoo, Country Representative of Fortia affirmed his
outfit’s commitment towards giving Ashgold a new outlook by
injecting high level of professionalism in its
administration.
“I am very convinced that we have the expertise to revive
the dwindling fortunes of the Club and to ensure it reverts
to its powerhouse status.”
Ashgold, losing finalists of the maiden edition of the
CAF-MTN Champions League in 1997 and three-time Premier
League winners becomes the first Ghanaian Club to be hit by
the recent acquisition of clubs by individuals and private
firms worldwide.
The practice is very common in England where the likes of
Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham, Portsmouth and lately
Manchester City are owned by foreign tycoons and private
firms.
GNA
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