Sports
Koopman’s sack; price for talking too much?
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• Martin Koopman – fired
Embattled former Accra Hearts of Oak Head Coach, Martinus Koopman, made an emphatic statement on Sunday after playing a goalless encounter with Legon Cities in what proved to be his last adventure in the betPawa Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.
It was his sixth drawn game in the 10-week old championship and as usual, fans indicated their remonstration over the outcome.
And, habitually at his very vocal and no-holds-barred post-match conference, Koopman clearly indicated that “I don’t fear the sack.”
Two days later, the axe fell on him heavily; becoming the 13th coach to be hired and fired by the Phobians since 2011.
A lot of commentaries have since followed his dismissal.
Some indicated that it was a decision which was inexplicably delayed by the management of Hearts after a series of relatively poor results.
Out of 10 games, Koopman boasts six draws, two losses and two wins, scoring a total of six goals and conceded five; leaving them with just a goal on the league log.
With such a result for a very ambitious club as Hearts, it was very certain that Koopman’s continuous stay in the helm of affairs would be determined by a change in outcomes.
Interestingly, management was very patient with him, having convinced the club with a wonderful preseason display that saw them score goals at will.
There is also a school of thought that the decision for the sack was self-inflicted.
This is because in spite of the performance, Koopman kept talking tough, stating some obvious truths and blaming management for some of the problems but never himself.
Before the ‘I don’t fear the sack’ comment that is believed to have broken the camel’s back, Koopman had enumerated a number of issues affecting the team which he was not responsible for.
After drawing with Dreams FC in Accra, Koopman told the media that he was yet to identify his best starting team and blamed Congolese striker Kashala Wanet for the team’s failure to win games because he missed their chances.
He again told the media after drawing with Samartex that neither he, nor his technical staff nor the playing body should be blamed for the lack of goals which he said was a general problem with Ghana football.
Then from nowhere, Koopman guided the Phobians to upset Medeama 3-1 in Accra and gave an assurance that the team would soon overcome the goal drought.
Coming from the back of that authoritative feat over high-flying Medeama, fans had high expectation to sustain that performance with a second consecutive win over the Royals.
However, they failed to score from the several chances they created as the fans intensified calls for his sack.
That may have prompted the boldest call of not been scared of a sack.
Definitely, Koopman’s exit, which Hearts explained as a move to restructure the team’s technical department, will surely prove whether he was right or wrong with his calls.
If he is proven right or wrong, it would still not erase the thinking that the sack was the price to pay for opening his mouth too wide.
However, it exposes Hearts as a team with the notoriety to hire and fire at will or a club living to the tagline associated with the coaching job.
By Andrew Nortey
In a resolve to build clearer pathway for athletes, the President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, has indicated the new executive’s commitment to strengthen collaboration with major stakeholders in the development and promotion of the sport.
According to him, it would be difficult to achieve its set targets set for the new elected term without a good working relations with such collaborators.
Mr Otu said this when he addressed participants at the closing ceremony of the 16th edition of the Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship held last Saturday at the Borteyman Sports Complex.
The event saw the Greater Accra Region’s dominance as they amassed a total of 26 medals consisting of 10 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals.
The Upper East Region followed in second position with a gold, silver and six bronze medals and Western Region in third after annexing a gold and silver medals.
According to him, the new executive will continue to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR), National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Korean Embassy in Accra, corporate organisations as well as educational institutions and Regional Associations.
“Our recent engagements with key stakeholders have reinforced our belief that there is a willingness to support Ghana Taekwondo when we present clear programmes, demonstrate accountability and work collaboratively,” he stated.
Consequently, he assured of the executive board’s commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability, teamwork and respect for all stakeholders.
“We’ll listen to our regions, clubs, coaches, athletes, officials and members of the Taekwondo family. We’ll continue to improve our administrative systems, documentation, communication, financial planning and programme coordination,” he added.
Mr Otu noted that the board was committed to building a sustainable Taekwondo development system that produces athletes, coaches, referees and administrators capable of representing Ghana with pride.
He said starting this month, the GTF will roll out its first major initiative – the Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign, to be launched in the Ashanti Region.
The campaign is designed to take Taekwondo directly to the schools and communities, particularly areas where sporting opportunities are limited.
“Our immediate target is to begin with at least five deprived regions — Northern Region, Upper West Region, Bono Region, Central Region and Ashanti Region — and identify young people with the potential to become future Taekwondo athletes,” he emphasised.
Mr Otu expressed gratitude to the Korean embassy for its continuous support for the championship which he said had given Ghanaian athletes the opportunity to compete, gain valuable experience, test themselves against quality opposition and develop the confidence necessary to progress to higher levels of competition.
At the end of the competition, the embassy presented a number of Taekwondo attires to the GTF to boost the sport’s promotion in Ghana.
By Andrew Nortey
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CAF 2nd Vice President and President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has visited the Black Princesses in Poland ahead of their opening game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The GFA President, who watched the team’s training session, assured the players of the Association’s full support and backed them to make history by qualifying from the group stage for the first time.
“A few days ago, I was in a chat with the head coach and I promised that I was going to join him for what I think is the most important game for us, which is the first game,” President Simeon-Okraku told the team.
“For me, the first game is the most important, because if we start well, chances are that we will do well. History tells us that this team has always been here. We’ve always been at this tournament for seven consecutive times. My inner faith is telling me that we have enough quality here to qualify from this group.”
He praised the players for their sacrifice and patience throughout preparations, saying their investment would be repaid on the pitch.
“You have been patient and gone through the troubles and the hassles. And you are here today. I believe that these sacrifices you have made, these investments you have made, will be repaid,” he said.
The GFA President stressed that Ghana has the quality to overcome their group opponents.
“We are faced by three opponents — Ecuador, Korea Republic and France. These three nations, believe me, are no better than us. We have enough quality in this team to win games in this group and to make it to the second round of the competition.”
“This tournament is played every two years, so after 14 years, this is the 16th year now — this group must be the one that makes it out of the group to the knockout stage. And this must happen.”
“I think the team is ready. The technical team have done a good job. The players have conducted themselves well. We will continue to support you to ensure you get the best to be able to compete at this level.”
He also charged the final squad to make those who missed out proud.
“A few of you were here but didn’t make the squad and had to leave. This is that moment that you have to make them proud.”
President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied to the training ground by Chief of Staff at the GFA, Michael Osekre, and President of Dreams FC, Jiji Alifoe.
Ghana will open their campaign against Ecuador on September 6, 2026, before facing Korea Republic and France in their other group matches.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
