Fitting farewell planned for hockey chief Oko Nikoi Dzanie

The nation’s hockey gurus will gather at the National Hockey Stadium in Accra to celebrate the outstanding contribution of Oko Nikoi Dzanie tomorrow as he officially stands down as president of the Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) after more than a decade in office.

Ataa Oko, as he is fondly called, took a back seat from mainstream hockey administration for more than six months as his vice, Richard Akpokavie, and other executive members steered the affairs of the association.

He leaves the sport in a healthier state having initiated the moves that gave hockey modern infrastructure, including its first and only stadium in Accra.

Under his leadership, Ghana had its first astro turf (sand-based) in 1999 and again with the support of  President John Evans Atta Mills, he pushed for a water-based artificial turf to be constructed a decade later to host the 9th Africa Hockey Nations Cup in Accra.

A key financier of the sport for many years, Mr Dzanie, who owns NDK Financial Services and NDK Financiers hockey team, is expected to grace the association’s congress tomorrow where fresh executive members  will be elected.

Mr Akpokavie, a private legal practitioner and a former national player, stands unopposed as president, while former Ashanti regional chairman, James Amoo-Godfried, faces a stiff challenge from Dennis Amoa-Ababio (Dracula) for the vice- president position.