Not even the presence of top FIFA gurus as well the movers and shakers of World Football could deny Otto Addo his prize in Washington, where the 2026 World Cup Draw was held last weekend.
With delegations from qualified countries arriving after 9.00am,media outlets assembled at the entrance of Capital Hilton which housed dignitaries from various countries. But it was not until after 5.00pm when the place came into real life with the arrival of an entourage from England ,Colombia and Ghana .
Thomas Tuchel had arrived earlier with an entourage of about 5,followed by the team from Colombia, before Otto Addo arrived unaccompanied through the entrance to the reception.
His bosses including Ghana’s FA President Kurt Okraku, General Secretary Prosper Harisson Addo, his deputy Alex Asante, Executive members Randy Abbey, Frederick Acheampong and spokesperson Henry Asante Twum had already checked into their various rooms.
But that did not stop the few Ghanaians around, joined later by journalists as the coach had to push through the crowd while acknowledging cheers and songs in his name by the Ghana Supporters Union, clad in their Ghanaian flags.
Though he spoke a few words after acknowledging how he was made to feel at home, the short incident has left a great mark on the minds of journalists and staff of the hotel especially.
The Capital Hilton staff kept clapping after Otto left ,with a key member remarking that “we are glad to see these things, it’s our loss the Ghanaian team will not be based here but who knows, they may choose our hotel for the pre World Cup camping”. Lots of people are around but the few minutes of singing and hailing the Ghanaian coach was a big shake, he won the most sought after and popular personality here”.
Ghana were later to be drawn in the same group with England, Croatia and Panama and www.ghanasportspage.com observed how England and Ghana officials especially tried to avoid each other, with the English press however doing everything possible to talk to the Ghanaian delegation .
