SWAG thankful to Otumfuo and SIC

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has expressed its deep appreciation to the management of SIC Insurance Company and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and everyone who played various roles in ensuring a successful SIC-Nyemitei SWAG Cup match between AshantiGold and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last week.

Kotoko defeated Ashgold 1-0 to win the prestigious trophy for a record 14th time.

A statement issued yesterday by SWAG president, Kwabena Yeboah, said the association was particularly grateful to the Chief Executive of Ashgold Kudjoe Fianoo and his Kotoko counterpart, Samuel Opoku Nti, for their cooperation which ensured the two clubs sold out a good game to the fans who turned out at the stadium.

It paid particular tribute to the Asantehene for his personal interest in ensuring the success of the match, from the day he received a delegation of SWAG and the leadership of SIC Insurance at the Manhyia Palace to his inspiring visit to Kotoko at training and crowning it with his presence at the match as the special guest of honour where Otumfuo Osei Tutu II took the ceremonial kick off and also presented the trophy to Kotoko’s captain, Amos Frimpong.

The statement mentioned the acting Managing Director of SIC Insurance, Mr Kwei Mensah Ashidam, for special praise for his singular effort in ensuring that the SIC-Nyemitei SWAG Cup match was revived after a five-year absence.

“We are indebted to the management of our proud sponsors, SIC Insurance Company Limited, particularly the indefatigable acting?Managing Director, Mr Kwei Mensah Ashidam, for his faith in the leadership of SWAG and his determination to ensure the revival of the prestigious competition, as well as the donation of a brand new trophy in honour of one of Ghana’s most illustrious sports administrators, the late Henry Plange Nyemitei, a former Chief Patron of SWAG and onetime Deputy Managing Director of SIC Insurance.

“It is our hope that the marriage between SIC Insurance and SWAG, which dates back almost tow decades, will last into the future,” Mr Yeboah stated”
SWAG congratulated Kotoko for winning the trophy for the 14th occasion and also thanked the National Sports Authority and media partners for their immense contribution in making the match very successful.

Meanwhile, SWAG has indicated that the match grossed GH¢44,910 and after statutory deduction (VAT+NHIL) of GH¢6,689 and various deductions in respect of match expressed. medical, ball boys, cost of tickets and other maintenance of stadium, allowances to ball boys, referees, gate checkers and ticket , among others, National Sports Authority and SWAG shared GH¢13,120 according to a formula established for league matches. The figure excluded of a sum of GH¢17,168 expenditure by SWAG in the organisation of the match which returned to the association.

The function statement of the match is available at the National Sports Authority.