Ex-Deputy Sports Minister Joseph Yamin Recounts How ‘Politics’ Made Him Ditch Kotoko For Hearts of Oak

Former Deputy Sports Minister of Ghana, Hon Joseph Yamin has disclosed that discrimination he suffered from Asante Kotoko fans in 2001 made him decamp the Reds to their rivals Hearts of Oak.

Yamin, who is an NDC member and former Ashanti Regional Deputy Minister explains that, he went to watch Kotoko game with his friends against Bofoakwa Tano at the Baba Yara Stadium in 2001 where they were asked to sit according to the club they belong. Other fans who came in late asked his friends which group they belong which they joyously answered that NPP followers can’t support any other team than Kotoko.

This, according to the former Member of Parliament left him felt out since he’s an NDC follower and decided to withdraw his support for the Baba Yara-based club to the Phobians.

“I’ve withdrawn my support for Kotoko long ago. I have supported Kotoko since my childhood days until in 2001, after a Kotoko game against Bofoakwa at the Baba Yara Stadium, we had grouped as young guys and were told to sit according to our club affiliation,” he explained to Kumasi-based Gye Nyame FM.

“I was sitting with the Kotoko fans when others joined and were asked which club they support, they happily replied they cannot be supporting Hearts of Oak as NPP supporters. Since that day I realized I was in the wrong place, I have never regretted joining Hearts of Oak”

“Until we want to detach our football from politics, I don’t think it will help us as a country. Do not look down on people as if they are unintelligent because they do not belong to the same team as you”

“On the score of the two or three people who joined relating Kotoko and NPP together, I felt I belong to a wrong move”

“The Kotoko fraternity has lost someone like me because of NPP,” he ended.