Jerome Otchere: Thumbs up Hearts of Oak

[caption id=attachment_1042270 align=alignnone width=1110] Hearts of Oak players' hostel at Pobiman.[/caption]I dont hide my Asante Kotoko affinity. Im proud of it. So, its often not expected of me to see any good in rival club, Accra Hearts of Oak. Yet, as a Ghana football journalist, its necessary that, I applaud whats progressive, and that which advances development of clubs and Ghana football as a whole.Its why I doff my hat off for the leadership of Hearts of Oak. The Phobians mightve their unique problems but their infrastructural work to elevate the standards at the club is worthy of commendation. If Im a Hearts fan, Ill surely demand results on the pitch but if my over 100-year-old club doesnt have basic training facilities including hostels and offices for players and staff, Ill be more disappointed.Hearts fans must thank Board Chairman, Togbe Afede XIV and his team for the level of work undertaken at Pobiman and Adabraka, where construction of hostels, training pitches and office complex are respectively taking place. Pictures and videos of Hearts 34-bedroom hostel have emerged on social media and attracting rave reviews.First, theres a well-fitted hostel for senior team players as well as another for players of the junior team, technical members and office staff all of which are to be handed over soon. Then, therere four modern training pitches three with natural grass and the other with an artificial turf. These are also nearing completion.Therere also volleyball and golf pitches at the same Pobiman development site. The construction of the clubs office complex at Adabraka has reached the second floor according to my checks with Hearts Communications Manager, Kwame Opare-Addo. These shouldnt have been news and notably for a club thats 100 years but its exciting news for fans and commentators alike given what the present conditions are for them.As someone who always talks about standards in club football in Ghana, the news at Hearts excite me. When Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer, Nana Yaw Amponsah, initiated the clubs Adako Jachie project, putting up a host of containers to give players fine avenues to wash down and rest after training, I commended the good work, which unfortunately has stalled for obvious reasons.Kotokos Board/Management must dispassionately look at Adako Jachie issues. Bottlenecks associated with completing the project must be addressed. Now though, Hearts fans must to be on cloud nine. I know so well the difficulties with club football administration in our country but a proper, habitable place for players to live, train and get their jobs professionally done, isnt too much of any Ghana Premier League side.Todays for Hearts. Ive seen their advert seeking qualified personnel to fill certain administrative offices. Thats also commendable just like the progressive infrastructural works. Togbe Afede XIV and his managers deserve tons of praise for their commitment to lifting the standards at Hearts of Oak. In all, this adds immensely to developing club football in Ghana. Kudos, Phobia!Source: JeromeOtchere.com Read Full Story