The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has paid glowing tribute to the memory of 126 football fans who died at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9, 2001.
The Asantehene honoured the memory of victims of the May 9 disaster when former Kumasi Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Herbert Mensah, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of activities marking the 18thanniversary of the incident.
Mr. Mensah, who has been holding programmes over the past 18 years to remember the May 9 victims, led a large number of people in a walk in Kumasi to remember the 126 departed souls before visiting the Otumfuo at his palace.
The Asantehene stressed the need for the elimination of hooliganism and all forms of violence from Ghana’s football to prevent future occurrence of the incident in the country.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also lauded Herbert Mensah for personally sacrificing his time and funds to honour the memory of victims over the past 18 years. He entreated Herbert Mensah to sustain his splendid work for the families of the May 9 victims.
Mr Mensah expressed elation that an eminent personality like Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had endorsed the annual May 9 Walk.
The former Kotoko CEO, who was in office when the 126 football fans died at the Accra Sports Stadium during a Hearts-Kotoko league match, reiterated that “it is not proper for people to lose their lives because of a football match and we will continue to create awareness on the dangers of hooliganism during football matches.”
As usual, Herbert Mensah presented bags of rice, toiletries, soaps, washing powder and other items to some families of the dead after the May 9 Walk.
“Although this gesture cannot replace the huge vacuum that the demise of the 126 people had created in the families, it’s just to show our love and care for you,” he remarked.
