It’s fascinating to know that only three Ghanaian players have won African Player of the Year awards and they are all from the Zongos. They are Ibrahim Sunday, ‘Golden Boy’ Abdul Razak and Abedi Ayew Pele.
The Zongo community in Ghana is well known for producing sportsmen and women in the country. When it comes to football, they are unmatched as a breeding ground for producing great players
Football legends like Abedi Pele, Karim Abdul Razak, Baba Yara, Ibrahim Sunday, Mohammed Polo, Awudu Issaka and recently Hamuni Dramani, Sulley Muntari, Mubarak Wakaso, Andre and Jordan Ayew just to mention a few are among the country’s Zongo football greats.
In terms of club administration, the likes of King Faisal owner Alhaji Karim Grunsah, Chief Executive of Sekondi Eleven Wise Alhaji Raji, Abdul Salaam Yakubu of New Edubiase FC, late Alhaji Sly Tetteh of Liberty Professionals as well as Mighty Jets chief Abu Sondoko all fall within the Zongo family.
The current Ghana Football Association President, Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku is also a Zongo boy, although not a Muslim and former FA President Kwesi Nyantakyie is also from Zongo
It’s fascinating to know that only three Ghanaian players have won African Player of the Year awards and they are all from the Zongos. They are Ibrahim Sunday, ‘Golden Boy’ Abdul Razak and Abedi Ayew Pele.
Ibrahim Sunday was the first Ghanaian to win the award in 1971. Next was Karim Abdul Razak in 1978 and Abedi Ayew Pele who won the award for three consecutive years from 1991 – 1993 and .
It’s interesting, isn’t it? Yes, the Zongos love sports, they love football. They eat football. They drink football.
In the technical aspects, the likes of Yakubu Sheriff Mambo(Ashgold), Yusif Basigi(Hasacas), Karim Zito (Dreams FC), Mohamed Bashir (Sahel FC- Niger), Malik Jabir, Maxwell Konadu and many more have come from the Zongo community.
Most of these great athletes and sportsmen have emerged from the local community games that are often organised during the Eid Al Fitr festival.
Lots of scouting and talents hunts are done and at the end the next big star usually emerges.
This year, the Covid-19 menace has affected the Zongos not only in terms of scouting or entertainment, or who won what but in terms of offering opportunities to young talents to be discovered.
The value of sports and recreation in our Zongos over the years have been enormous with lots of positive impact. Sports and recreation is not about winning, it’s about helping build stronger, healthier, happier, and safer communities.
Communities that participate in sports develop strong social bonds, are safer places and the people who live in them are generally healthier and happier than places where physical activity isn’t a priority.
Sport and recreation builds stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities. There are so many ways sport has benefited people in the Zongo communities and it can’t be overlooked.
The yearly Eid Al Fitr Zongo sports galas brings people together and provides opportunities for social interaction. Among other things, it also empowers, inspires and motivates individuals. Below are some fothe benefits of sports:
- Kids who participate learn better and are more likely to enjoy school.
- Improves mental health.
- Eases pressure on the health system.
- Contributes to social capital.
- Creates positive alternatives to youth offending, antisocial behaviour and crime.
- Provides a vehicle for inclusion, drawing together people of different races, religions and cultures.
- Creates opportunities for, and promotes, volunteering.
- Provides work / life balance.
- Binds families and communities through shared experiences.
- Helps shape our national character and pride.
- Creates employment opportunities.
- Promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Develops life skills and leadership abilities.
- Provides a sense of belonging.
- Fosters community pride.
- Tones and strengthens the body.
- Galvanises communities in times of need.
- Economic growth through business investment, employment, major events and tourism.
- Contributes to lifelong learning.
- Great opportunities for networking.
- Reduces obesity.
- Can help to prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.
There are so many merits that can’t be quantified or measured in terms of what the games gives the Zongos.
Going through the Zongos this Eid Al Fitr celebrations got me thinking, can the Zongos be this quiet? Wow! Unbelievable!
This is where we find ourselves thanks to Mr Corona Virus. Thanks to him, we couldn’t spot our next Abdul Majeed Waris this time, but believe me, we will find him soon
Well, it’s late so let me go and enjoy my Salah meat. Until then, stay Home, Stay Safe and
Eid Mubarak!
Mustapha Hadji
