By Ken Bediako
Adieu to the 2026 FiFA World Cup and its cousin the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The amazingly growing numbers of sports enthusiasts have noted with concern the brazen attempts by organisers of global sports to turn sports festivals into gold mining pits.
It is agreed by all these days that money rules the world but we shouldn’t deny the simple fact that too much of everything is bad. No wonder FIFA boss Giani Infantino has been told right in his face by purists that despite all his fine efforts to reset the global football ecosytem, uncontrolled commercialism involving so called investors may in the long run destroy the Olympic spirit of competitive sports and that ensures fairplay for a winner on merit. The maxim is faster, higher, stronger. We all seem to have forgotten the unique
Olympic creed that tells us that winning is not the most important thing in sports and games. Just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.
The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.
That’s why boxers embrace each other even after a gruelling fight.
And you see both opposing players and team managers shaking hands especially after football matches no matter the scores.This is the unique nature of competitive sport affectionately termed sportsmanship.
All this may be diluted when money seeking investors join the fray with hard cash.
It’s no secret the foremost consideration for investors is to make profits at all cost which may be detrimental to the health of the sport.
It is said that money matters are not matters of fancy. Global sports organisers must therefore be careful to look before they leap into the domain of unforgiving investors. On that note let’s continue with the history
of the national football league that took a short break after the 1976 edition.
THE 1977 NOVELTY ONE ROUND LEAGUE.
H.ASAACAS THE SPRINTS CHAMPS
March 13 – May 22
In preparation for the 11th African Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Ghana, it was decided that the 1977 league should be a one round tournament and that the winner would not compete in the clubs continental series in 1978.
The newly appointed GFA Chairman Major D.O. Asiamah announced that the league would start on March 13 and end on May 22 to allow enough time to prepare for the 1978 Cup of Nations. Sekondi Hasaacas proved to be the fastest off the mark and won this short distance event beating Accra Great Olympics in a photo finish.
In the thriller of the opening week Accra Hearts of Oak beat city rivals Great Olympics 2-1.
Olympics had taken an early lead within two minutes through Robert Mensah but Evans Aryeequaye and Mama Acquah quickly replied for Hearts.
In another local derby, Kotoko and Cornestone drew 0-0 in Kumasi.
Corners had a penalty but Akuetteh Armah’s kick was saved by Kotoko goalie Okine Quaye. At Sunyani, twice goal-king Dan Owusu scored both goals in Bofoakwa’s 2-1 win over B.A.United.
Top attraction in the second week was the Kotoko-Dumas Boys of GTP clash in Kumasi that Kotoko won 3-2. Gordon Prempeh, Agyeman Prempeh, and Victor Siriboe scored for Kotoko and Joe Mensah got both goals for Dumas Boys.
The third week saw Kotoko beating Hearts 1-0 in Accra through Agyeman Prempeh on nine minutes.
The 4th week produced some shockers. Akotex beat Asante Kotoko 3-1 at Somanya. Kingsley Emeh, Conduah and Botchway scored for Akotex and Agyeman Prempeh got Kotoko’s only goal.
Fankobaa beat Hearts 2-1 with George Quaye and Jackson netting for Fankobaa. Tanko Ayuba pulled one back for Hearts of Oak.
In the 5th week Kotey Kalala powered Hearts to a hard fought 2-1 victory over GIHOC Stars at Accra stadium.
Kotoko suffered their first home defeat in the 6th week at the hands of Bofoakwa 2-1. Dan Owusu scored both goals for Bofoakwa and Ebo Afful scored from the spot-kick to reduce the arrears for Kotoko.
Fankobaa were still leading the table by the 7th week and they drew 1-1 with Kotoko at Agona Swedru; Ebo Afful scored for Kotoko and Bright Asare replied for Fankobaa.
In the 8th week Fankobaa coach Franklin Crentsil did his best but Hasaacas shattered Fankobaa’s home record with a 2-1 win. Annan and Hooper scored for Hasaacas and Francis Kumi got the consolation goal for Fankobaa.
As a side attraction, the National Pledge was recited for the first time in the league when Hearts played against Cape Coast Dwarfs at the El-Wak Sports Stadium. The match was goalless.
Another side attraction was that the Hearts-Kotoko super champions’ match on January 9 was abandoned in the 77th minute when Hearts, then leading 2-1, refused to allow a penalty against them to be taken. Peter Lamptey had scored both goals for Hearts with Abdul Razak reducing the arrears for Kotoko.
Anas Seidu who led an attack on Referee B.K.Dwemmoh was banned for one year. He later made a public apology and the ban was lifted in April.
Fankobaa had been leading the league table from the 4th to the 12th week when Great Olympics whipped the Swedru boys 5-0 to pave the way for Sekondi Hasaacas who beat B.A United 1-0 at Sunyani to climb to the top.
Meanwhile, three players of Brong Ahafo United- Latif Ansah, Anthony Dwemmoh, and Sam Addo were banned from playing football for the rest of the season for assaulting the referee who handled the B.A United- Fankobaa match on April 10.
In addition the players were fined 100,000 cedis each.
The players accused the referee of being biased against B.A United.
With a match to go, Great Olympics and Hasaacas were sharing the top spot with 20 points apiece. Thus the results of the Olympics-Complex Stars match and the Kotoko-Hasaacas encounter would determine the champions.
Olympics drew goalless with Complex Stars and Hasaacas beat Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi to win the one round special league.
Ibrahim Labaran’s 88th minute goal won the day for Hasaacas who bagged 22 points to pip Olympics by only one point. Even though George Alhassan of Olympics topped the scoring chart with 14 goals there was no goal king award because of the special nature of the league.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
