It's exactly five days today when the first of the two President's Cup matches were played and 4 days from the actual game. The storm that Sunday made it a double header, however, it was a game between the same sides that played on Sunday.
Forget about the rivalry between the two clubs and the storm that thwarted the game on Sunday, I think GHALCA can only organise a better game next time. Honestly, I was impressed with the organisation.
Yes, I agree that it's just a game and can't be compared to a competition with over 200 matches - The Ghana Premier League. But let's not only be quick to criticise and chastise, let's also be quick to praise and hail.
I think the Kudjoe-Fianoo led GHALCA must be lauded for the magnificent organisation they did before, during and after the match. More so, when the game was rained off, they did their best to get the clubs to accept a replay - that was sharp. Great job done.
The standard of the game itself was high but that has always been the case when Kotoko and Hearts are playing - the tackles from the Atingas, the skills from the Gyamfis, the brilliance of the Saddicks, the swiftness of the Razaks and the ingenuity of the Mahamas gave the game such a stupendous touch.
But the effort that was put in to ensure the game was played is what impressed me.
How GHALCA strategically engineered the overwhelming support for the club by getting the Baba Yara Sports Stadium full to capacity is worth noting. I believe it did not only dwell on the usual mentions from journalist on radio, television and online. But a conscious effort was made to ensure the fans trooped to the stadium on both days. That is very remarkable. GHALCA must keep it up.
The internal decoration of the stadium with the pitch panels and the banners of the various organisations that supported the game made it look like a PSL decider between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa - beautiful.
I am not a designer but the little I saw was enough to convince me that some good organisational arrangements were made. That was also remarkable.
It was heartbreaking for some of us who love our local football when the news broke out that the two clubs - Kotoko and Hearts are reluctant in replaying the game after it was rained off. But Mr. Fianoo and his people worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure the teams are convinced to replay the game. That was great also.
But I was told the medals for Accra Hearts of Oak were missing after the game. That was very bad and GHALCA must apologise to the Phobian Family, including me, for that. That must mot happen again.
Finally, inasmuch as I hail GHALCA for the great job, I seriously don't understand how the two clubs were chosen. Is the GHALCA President's Cup a reserve for only Kotoko and Hearts? Or it is meant for the inform clubs in the league at that point in the year? I think GHALCA must make a strong statement to Ghanaians as to who qualifies to play in the tournament.
In all, I think I enjoyed a good game with great organisation.
IMPRESSIVE!
By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter