Dr Ben Asante retained as president of Ghana Hockey Association
Members of the Ghana Hockey Association have by popular acclamation endorsed Dr Ben Asante to continue as President for the next four years.
The event which took place on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Theodosia Okoh National Hockey pitch saw the incumbent go unopposed in an election to elect the leadership of the association for the next four years.
Dr. Ben Asante, who doubles as the Chairman of the Citizens International Hockey Club, urged members of the Association to rally behind hockey and strive to seek for sponsorship for the association.
“Our commitment towards funding should be looked at. Our development agenda has remained the same but our funding has not reached the mark that can help us execute all our plans,
“We still remain committed to developing our facilities and equipment, and also looking at our pillar number two, which is developing our personnel, not just the players, but rather the coaches and technical officials because we’re far behind.” he noted.
He added that “the main tool for purchase of equipment, training of coaches and enabling players to play at competitions has not been forthcoming hence the need to do all we can attract more funding for the sport”
Vice President, Madam Elizabeth King also went unopposed.
The other members of the new leadership of the association include Mr Kwame Owusu, Mr Albert Ofori, as honorary treasurer, Mr Frank Oti-Mensah and Grace Ankomah.
The association has successfully hosted two major international tournaments – the African Cup of Club Champions (ACCC) and the Africa Cup of Nations in November, 2021 and January 2022 respectively.
In the ACCC, two women’s clubs from Ghana, GRA Ladies won Gold and Prisons Ladies, Bronze.
None of the men’s team made it to the medal zone.
In the ACN, Ghana hosted 15 participating teams from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, and Uganda.
Ghana’s female team sailed through to the finals but lost to South Africa, thereby winning silver.
The Black Sticks placed fifth in the men’s category.
Sequel to these tournaments and ranking, the men and women’s national teams qualified to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom, placing 10th in both men and women’s versions.
On infrastructure, four new water-based artificial turfs have been installed, with support from the president of Ghana Hockey Association, Dr. Ben Asante. The association acquired turfs and its accessories to construct three new pitches at KNUST, UG and UCC and renovation of the national hockey stadium.
Human Resources after the first four years under the executives – Association has birthed a number of FIH officials and umpires who get appointments at international tournaments or represent Ghana.
The likes of Mr Frank Oti-Mensah, Isaac Graham, Dr Bayitse, Joyce Datsa, Aziz Adimah, Cynthia Clement, George Roland, Agatha Hagan, Kwabena Asante, Quagraine Kofi, Ebenezer Nortey, and many young people have had international appointments.
Coaches, trainers and officials, have all benefited under his leadership.
These achievements, wouldn’t have happened if not for the intervention of the president, Dr Ben Asante.