Kotoko Circles in China Chairman Richard Oduro Koranteng has joined the movement against the use of Otumfour Osei Tutu’s image in the Porcupine’s new jersey.
The Chinese-based able Kotoko fan insists it is unprofessional to use the image of their patron to represent the Ashanti Kingdom.
However, Oduro Koranteng has asked the management and the designers to make an immediate correction to look for new features.
Today marks exactly one week after the Porcupine Warriors unveiled their 2022/23 home and away kits.
The image of Otumfour Osei Tutu II has brought a lot of controversies over the past week after the kit was unveiled.
With clubs being more creative in their designs, jerseys became art and made the game of football more colorful and attractive but Oduro Koranteng’s comments on Kotoko’s 2022/23 claims putting Otumfour’s image or a traditional leader in their kits is abominable.
“Kotoko jersey is a great jersey but this is not the right time to place Otumfour in it in such situations. If the designers are looking for some logo or something to represent the culture of Asante Kotoko in the jersey I think Otumfour is too big for that.
“Apart from the players wearing it for matches, the supporters who are not our supporters will also get the opportunity to buy it.
“Football or sports comprises of a lot of issues. Maybe it might be burnt by someone tomorrow after a defeat whiles Otumfour’s picture is in it. Is not good”, He told GL Radio in an interview.
“It doesn’t show respect to Asanteman. We will plead with them that they should think of something. There are so many symbols of the Kingdom. For Otumfour to be in the jersey is not the right thing”, he added.
“There was a time Diego Maradona was placed in a Napoli jersey but that was even for ceremonial matches although Maradona is not up to Otumfour they said it was to honor him for one or two matches but not for the whole season.
“I will plead with the leaders to think about it again. They should look for other symbols representing Asanteman but not Otumfour,” Oduro Kwarteng told Ghanasportspage.com.
The new kits were designed to celebrate His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, whom they describe as a “pillar” of the club.
The kits were produced by Italian manufacturer, Errea following the signing of a three-year deal with the GPL giants.
The home kit, predominantly red has spots of a porcupine and a striking image of Otumfour Osei Tutu II embedded at the bottom right side of the jersey with white finishing at the edge of the sleeve and neck.
Their home kit also has two stars on top of the iconic crest, showing the number of CAF Champions League trophies won by the club.
The away kit also features an image of Otumfour Osei Tutu II embedded at the bottom right side with the color black at the sleeve edges as well as the neck area going with the main color of green.
The away kit has a distinctive crest of a Porcupine with the inscription “IFFHS African Club of the 20th Century” beneath it.
