The summer sun was still young and travelling from the eastern bank of the Osaka Bay city of Kobe in central Japan to light up the lodge where Ghana’s Black Starlets were based for the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup.
In the luxurious Kobe Oriental Hotel that fateful mid-morning was then Minister of Youth and Sports E T Mensah, Francis Oti Akenteng, coach Paha, Seidu Yonan and Dr Agyapong who were put in charge of shaping the hopes and vision of the entire nation carried by the likes of Samuel Osei Kuffour, Sebastian Barnes, Essuman Dadzie, Ali Jarra, Mark Edusei, Daniel Addo among others.
For almost the entire squad it was their first ever trip outside of the continent and the exposure to the Japanese culture and the environment was already presenting a new kind of challenge to the contingent.
While the leadership of the contingent remained coiled on how to deal with challenges to sorting out the needs of the squad and officials , a 25-year-old young Ghanaian man running business in the East Asian country stepped into the Kobe Oriental Hotel reception and quickly acquaint himself with E T Mensah, Oti Akenteng and other members of the team.
For his passion, patriotism and zeal , George Afriyie took upon himself to ensure the entire Ghanaian contingent lack nothing as he spent hours unend at their service at the expense.
“It was service to our great nation. Right from infancy the passion to serve my nation has always been there so when the team came up to Japan and I was around I had to give them my all and ensure they received the best. I was really passionate about things,” his mind draws back as he recounts the moment.
The Ghana team went ahead to finish second after missing out on the ultimate to Nigeria.
In 1993 as a young Man living in Japan and working as a part timer at a Japanese electronics shop, I visited the camp of the National U17 Team taking part in the world Youth championships and offered various forms of support to the Team including giving 3 CD Car tapes to 3 members of the Technical team Coaches Paha, Oti Akenteng and Seidu Yonan.
In 1996 when the Ghana Olympic Team was on the way to Atlanta Georgia Olympic games , and played their final warm up game against Japan Olympic Team, George took 3 members of the Team to Tokyo Electronics hub and bought 3 Seiko watches for them. Jacob Nettey, Afo Doudu and Joe Addo. After Ghana beating Japan 2:0 , George gave each member of the Playing body a pair of Karl Kani Jeans.
In the year 2007, George followed the National U17 team to Japan to offer support to the Team on his own expense, bought his own tickets. George arranged with his Japanese friends to donate Seiko watches to the Entire Technical team and Management members Present including an undisclosed Cash.
During the final training tour of Korea by the National U17 to take part in an 8 Nation tournament, George had to buy Puma sneakers for the Entire Team because most of the plays were always seen with bath room sandals ( chalewate)
Such has been the altruistic trail blazed by the ex-Ghana FA VEEP in offering support to football.
In 2002 the young man arrived in the country to lead the revival of Swedru All Blacks. The investor through his connections and business links secured partnership with Japanese club Gamba Osaka leading to the name Gamba All Blacks. Through connections and influence investor – Toshihiro Iwasa injected over $500,000 in the Ghanaian club. The professionalism and the modern standard witnessed at the club was the first time in the history of the club rose from the ashes to secure promotion back to the Ghanaian top flights producing players like Ishmael Yartey, Richard Mpong, Ahmed Nyame and Isaac Vorsah.
His outstanding contribution to the development of football in the country secured him a slot on one of the most powerful football organs in the country – the Executive Committee in 2005, holding that position until 2018.
He has also served as the President of Africa Soccer Promotions from 2008 till now while working with great clubs in the country like Accra Great Olympics and Liberty Professionals while investing in clubs like Unity FC and Okyeman Planners.
He exhibited his overflowing qualities when he guided the Ghana U20 team to win bronze when he was put in charge of the team in 2013.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) spotted the potential in him, appointing the former Ghana FA Juvenile Committee chairman it’s Marketing and TV Rights Committee where he has served from 2015 till 2017. Two years ago the Confederation also appointed him as it’s Match Commissioner becoming one of the most highly seasoned African football administrators and has been serving on the AFCON Committee from 2017 and will carry it out until 2021.
By 2015 George Afriyie had become a serial winner – as the Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, the senior national team won silver at the AFCON which was held in Equatorial Guinea. Immediately in the post AFCON success, rose to become the Vice President of the Ghana Football Association.
Fast forward in 2019 , George Afriyie is on the ballot paper as candidate for the GFA Presidential elections. His outstanding contribution to football in the country and beyond has not gone unnoticed. Ghana Premier League record winners Asante Kotoko have joined Medeama SC who have gone public to declare their support and backed his candidature to become the GFA President.
The endorsement has been following in thick and fast with players in the mould of ex-Fulham, Getafe and 2010 FIFA World Cup star Derek Boateng, Kumasi Asante Kotoko cult hero Aziz Ansah, striker Ernest Papa Arko and ex-SL Benfica winger Ishmael Yartey all publicly endorsing his candidature.
FIFA World Cup legendary coach Bora Milutanovic, ho is the only coach in the World Cup history to qualify five different countries to five consecutive tournaments, has expressed backing for the renowned administrator and accomplished businessman.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland international Ramon Zega as well as top Croatian football scientist Josip Zbiljski have all backed him to become the next Ghana FA President.
The former Chairman of the Ghana FA Juvenile Committee launched his Presidential manifesto earlier this month in Sunyani – the Capital of the Bono region, where he pledged to revive and restore colts football with his promise of One Player One Ball.
Afriyie has become everybody’s favourite to win the race with elections watchers predicting a landslide one touch victory for the Liberty Professionals director who doubles as the bankroller of Division One League side Okyeman Planners.
1993 FIFA U17 World Cup Japan star Takakiyu Yoshida and INAC Kobe President Yasumoto are among global icons and influential football personalities who have massively endorsed him.
October 25th, cometh an hour – a dawn of restoration, a dawn of revival and a dawn of redemption of football in the country. The process which some have dubbed: “A Spiritual Movement” will ultimately elect George Afriyie to become the President of football in Ghana – synonymous to the Yaa-Naa’s enskinment title of Chief of Football.
Credit: Ghanasportsonline.com
