Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, has announced that Parliament will back Asante Kotoko in their upcoming match against DC United in the United States next year.
He revealed that he has directed his team to explore avenues for securing financial support from corporate sponsors to assist the club’s participation in the event.
Asante Kotoko is set to face DC United on October 12, 2024, in the USA, as part of the reward for winning the inaugural Democracy Cup match.
Speaker Bagbin shared these plans during a recent review meeting with Primeval Media, the organisers of the event.
He emphasised that Parliament, having initiated the Democracy Cup match, has a responsibility to ensure that Kotoko’s participation in the USA match is successful.
Speaker Bagbin highlighted football’s role as a powerful tool for national promotion and development, citing the United Kingdom’s effective use of the sport to its advantage over the years.
Furthermore, he pointed out the historical significance of the match venue and the potential benefits it could bring to both countries.
Representing Asante Kotoko at the meeting, Mr. Samuel Opoku Nti expressed gratitude to the Speaker for the initiative, noting that the match against DC United would provide the club and its players with an opportunity to showcase their talents on an international stage.
“It’s an opportunity we cherish, and we will do our best when the time comes.
“This is the first time we will be playing in the USA, and the entire team is looking forward to that,” he added.
He urged the Speaker to implement strategies that would guarantee the continuity of the competition, which is now set to become an annual event.
The inaugural Democracy Cup, organized by the Parliament of Ghana, featured a match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. Kotoko secured a 2-1 victory over Hearts, claiming the first-ever trophy at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Democracy Cup match was one of the key events commemorating 30 years of Ghana’s parliamentary democracy.
The first edition took place on July 17 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko competing for the title.