Burial of former hockey coach takes place at Atwema-Nwomasi

Burial of David Osei Kwame, a former hockey coach of the Brong Ahafo Region took place at Atwema-Nwomasi, near Kwadaso at the week-end.

The late coach, aged 67, died at the Kwame Nkrumah University and Science Technology (KNUST) Hospital in Kumasi on Monday, December 19 last year.

Affectionately called “Coach Osei/Old Soldier) by his admirers, the late Osei Kwame retired from the Ghana Army with the rank of a Sergeant.

A copy of the biography of the former coach released to GNA Sports in Sunyani said as a soldier the late coach served as a Polar Trooper, Physical Instructor and a sportsman at 6 BN at the Kamina barracks in Tamale and 4 BN in Kumasi.

Osei Kwame, who was a keen hockey player for several years was also a member of the Ghana National Hockey team that won the first gold medal for Ghana in an international competition.

Some of his team mates included President John Evans Atta Mills and Mr Kwame Saarah-Mensah, a former Minister of Youth and Sports in the People’s National Defence Council (PNDC) regime.

As a physical instructor in the military, coach Osei Kwame was attached to Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club during the hey days of great players like of Malik Jabir, Ibrahim Sunday and the now Rev Osei Kofi.

In view of his experience as an international hockey player, the late coach Osei Kwame while on retirement from the Army was appointed by the then National Sports Council as the Brong-Ahafo Regional hockey coach.

By dint of hard work, dedication and commitment, Coach Osei’s sterling hockey coaching abilities enabled schools in the Brong Ahafo Region to win several medals in competitive hockey competitions at National Schools and Colleges Sports Festivals.

The late coach Osei Kwame was the founder of Awosent Hockey Club in Sunyani, which participated in many national inter-hockey club competitions and won several medals.

The late coach also put the region on a high pedestal not through hockey but also coached the disabled sports team in the region to win several medals in basketball and athletics.

Some of his players are members of the Ghana National Disabled team that will participate in the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London.

At the graveyard were hundreds of friends, sympathizers and sports enthusiasts including representatives of the Sunyani regional office of the National Sports Authority.