It was a bitter-sweet feeling for Alhaji Abdul Karim Grunsah, founder and bankroller of King Faisal FC during this year’s national awards held recently.

Alhaji Grunsah was among over 200 Ghanaians and some foreign nationals honoured by the state for their invaluable contributions to the growth of the country at the International Conference Centre in Accra.

The King Faisal boss noted that his happiness after receiving the top award was short-lived due to some conspiratorial attitude of some GFA leadership immediately the event came to a close.

Explaining, Alhaji Grunsah alleged, “I became sad because the GFA of which I am a member did not invite me to the after-party it organized for Mr. Issah Hayatou, the CAF President, who was also an award recipient.

“With the exception of me, all the GFA members present at the occasion were invited to the programme, and what annoyed me most was the manner in which they invited the other GFA members to the party.

“They clandestinely called the other members of the GFA present one after the other and left me to my own fate in front of the International Conference Centre.

“I am not complaining because of food, but I am vexed because the money they used to organize the party belongs to the GFA of which I am a member in good standing, so ideally they should have invited me too”.

Asked about what the award means to him, Grunsah noted, “I just cannot find words to describe the happy mood that I find myself in right now. Indeed, I am overjoyed that finally Ghanaians have seen my contributions to the advancement of football in the country, in particular youth football.”

He described the award as a personal victory against his detractors. “Despite the numerous backbiting and victimizations being meted out to me by some GFA members I have been exonerated just like Mr. Mandela of South Africa.

“Mandela after over 20 years’ incarceration and against all odds rose to become the president of South Africa and this is similar to my situation.

“The GFA has suspended me; but in these difficult moments the state has seen my good works for Ghana football and bestowed on me such a great honour which I would forever cherish”.

Still commenting on the award, Grunsah said, “When the MC for the occasion mentioned my name and credentials I started shivering and I found it very difficult to ascend the podium to receive the award from the President of the land.

“To be honest with you that day would go down as one of the happiest days in my life, especially in football.”

Grunsah observed that his truthfulness, fear of God and frank nature aided him to win the award and promised to sustain his good works in the years to come.

“I will continue to tell the truth and also constructively criticize the bad policies of the GFA for the rest of my life until Ghana football rises to the desired level”.


Source: Daily Guide