THE KUMASI Asante Kotoko and International Energy Insurance (IEI) sponsorship deal, which would ensure the players of the team enjoy insurance packages, nearly resulted in a bizarre end.
Journalists in Kumasi detailed by their respective media houses to cover the historic event nearly boycotted the programme because they claimed the Kotoko leadership doesn’t respect their profession.
But for the passionate appeal by Kotoko Executive Board Chairman Dr. K.K. Sarpong and his close associates like Ben Nti, journalists would have boycotted the show.
The big programme was expected to officially start at exactly 9:00am at the Kotoko Secretariat at Odeneho Kwadaso and the journalists stormed the place right on time for the event.
The journalists, including senior media practitioners from the print and electronic media, sat at the event grounds for close to three hours without anybody attending to them.
The dais expected to be filled by high powered dignitaries including Kotoko and IEI officials was also vacant, sending indications that perhaps the programme might not come on.
After about three hours of waiting, the journalists decided to boycott the programme.
Whilst on their way out of the event, Dr. Sarpong and his group who were in their offices were informed about the development so they quickly rushed out and started appealing for restraint.
After some persuasions, the angry journalists finally accepted Dr. Sarpong’s apology and rescinded their threat of leaving.
Some of the journalists that spoke to DAILY GUIDE SPORTS later on said that was not the first time Kotoko officials have meted out that ill-treatment to them.