Former Ghana FA boss Nana Sam Brew-Buttler was the highest individual purchaser of the new ‘tornado’ footballs launched by Stephen Appiah on Monday.
The new football which was designed in honour of the ex Black Stars captain received massive endorsements at its launch in a colourful ceremony held at the residence of the British High Commissioner.
The balls are hand-made by Ghanaians with disability working for the Alive and Kicking Company based in Ghana.
The ball is manufactured with locally acquired materials which is in tandem with the government’s policy to promote made in Ghana goods.
Former GFA chairman Nana Sam Brew-Buttler beat all gathered to purchase 500 pieces of the balls launched on Monday evening.
Other invited guests including Henry Quuashie (Hencook) Larry Opare Otoo (Primeval Media), Kurt Okraku (Dreams FC) and award winning actor Chris Attoh also took turns to purchase the balls at the launch.
Nestle Milo also purchased 2000 pieces of the balls to be used for their annual juvenile championships which has Stephen Appiah as an ambassador.
Parts of the proceeds to be realized from the sales of the new balls christened ‘tornado’ – the nickname of the ex Juventus star – will go into The Stephen Appiah Foundation to finance its various social intervention projects.
The ‘Tornado’ will offer more jobs to Ghanaians
The continued patronage of the ‘tornado’ will also help create more job opportunities for Ghanaians especially the ones living with disability.
Appiah, who captained the Black Stars to its first World Cup appearance in 2006 in Germany says the ‘tornado’ represented one major way of giving back to the society that propelled him to stardom.
“Today I stand before you, humbled by my little achievement as a former skipper of the senior national team, the Black Stars of Ghana and also a former footballer who by the grace of God tasted football both locally and at the international level,” Appiah who also played for Turkish giants Fernerbahce said.
“This little achievement did not come because I am Stephen Appiah, but it came because throughout my life as a young boy and as a footballer, I enjoyed the support of many people who came my way.
“I enjoyed support from my family, coaches who made sure I made it to the top, doctors who treated me to get back on my feet anytime I got injured and most importantly Ghanaians all over the globe who prayed for me, wished me well, supported me and were always there for me both on and off the pitch.
“Amongst these well-wishers and supporters were the underprivileged, some of whom walked many miles and used their little income they had to pay gate fees just to support us and wish us well.
“Amongst these supporters also included the many physically challenged who usually forget their enormous pain and disability to cheer us onto victory.
“The question now is, if society did all these to push me to the top, why will I sit and fold arms and not give back to society.
“An answer to the above question is what we see today, the official launch of the tornado ball.
“This venture is one of many things I am already doing and hope to keep doing with my foundation.”
*Source modernghana
