Coach Kwesi Appiah discusses his friendship with the late Christian Atsu.
Former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah says the death of winger Christian Atsu has left a big hole in his heart because of the relationship he had with the player.
Following a tragic earthquake disaster that occurred early last month, the 31-year-old died while on duty with the Turkish football club, Hatayspor.
"Atsu was a close friend, whenever I went to the UK, I always visited him, and most of the time when I was in London, he also came to visit me," the former Black Stars coach said in an interview with GNA Sports.
"We were close to the point where he took my advice on how he should go around it for most of the investments that he wanted to do," Appiah said.
According to him, the last time he saw the player was in 2019, when he was preparing for surgery following an injury sustained during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He stated that his relationship with the Black Stars winger grew stronger prior to the surgery, which caused some fitness issues and forced him to leave Newcastle.
"He told us that we should all pray for him, and I told him that the way he is, he will automatically make it, and he did. However, his leg strength was not the same as before, prompting him to leave Newcastle."
Kwesi Appiah praised Atsu as a skilled player who gave his all to ensure the national team's success.
Christian Atsu made 65 appearances for Ghana's Black Stars between 2012 and 2019, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists.
read also: The Ghana Boxing Authority will host a boxing seminar for sports journalists.
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) will host a one-day special seminar for sports journalists in collaboration with the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG).
The seminar, scheduled for Thursday, March 9, would take place at the Accra Sports Stadium's Media Center.
Mr. Mohammed Amin Lamptey, Public Communication Manager of the GBA, told GNA Sports that he was confident that many people would attend to learn about the new trends and terminologies used in boxing.
He stated that "it is time to recognize the main practitioners of the sport, including boxers, coaches, the GBA President and Executive Board members, as well as the Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU) and the media who spread the message and promote the game," because boxing was Ghana's number one sport that had achieved much at the World and Olympic Games level.
He stated that participants would learn scoring skills and technology, as well as boxer safety.
He promised a special gift from Boxinghana.com to the first ten journalists.
He stated that the special guest of honor would be Nana Odiasempa Abena Ayebea Okani I Asumka hemaa Queen Mother of Adukrom Akuapim, a keen boxing enthusiast.
Coacgh Ofori Asare, Head Coach of the National Boxing Team and Olympic Bronze Medalist, would be on hand to share his knowledge with participants.
The BWAG Executives would also be introduced at the seminar.
Imax Boxing Promotions, Techno, Max Buy, TCL, Renault, Healthy Life, TT Brothers, and Renault are all supporting the seminar.
Others included the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the National Sports Authority, both of which regulate sports in Ghana.
Max TV, Max Radio, Happy Sports, Daily Guide, Graphic Communications, Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ghanaian Times, Ghanaweb, Modernghana.com, Newsghana.com, amaghanaonline.com, Boxing Ghana, Ultimatesportsgh.com, African Sports Media Network, Asaaseaban.com, Kasapa FM, GTV Sports Plus, and others are among the media partners.
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