I adore youth development— Oti Akenten
“Being a member of the CAF technical and study groups, as well as one of the 10 FIFA selected resource members in the world assigned to write booklets about football, is something I cherish so much in my life .
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These feats indicate that I have served my country, continent and the world at large with much commitment and dedication in terms of football development and it is something I do not only cherish so much, but also galvanise me to be more zealous to what I am doing in terms of football development"
These were the words of the Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Mr Francis Oti Akenten when asked to single out his greatest achievements in sports development over the years during an interview with the Graphic Sports.
He said establishing the Winneba Sports Academy some years back to nurture and produce talented footballers from the grassroots to national and international stars is another feat he adores so much.
"Trying to groom the footballers as part of the youth development programme at the grassroots from the U-15, U17, U-20 and U-23 years was not easy at all, but now, many of such players are playing big time soccer in Ghana, Europe and other parts of the world. I count this as an achievement which cannot be grossed over" he noted.
Coaching classification
According to the technical director, the coaching classification programme which he started in 2007 has also made it possible for the country to produce over 1,500 coaches at different levels. He said that programme has also produced coaches from the introductory level to CAF licence C, V, andA, many of whom are coaching in Ghana, the continent and other parts of the world. On the significance of the coaching classification, he noted “building the capacity of many coaches in the country has the tendency to enhance accelerated development of football at all levels in the country" and therefore assured to be committed to the programme.
Mentor
On how he was infected with sports and had been developing it over the years, Mr Akenten said sports was in his family, but it was his senior brother, one Osei Asibey , who inspired him to become a football star before learning the art of coaching which is now yielding fruitful results . " My senior brother was an offensive midfielder at Kyekyewere, near Offinso ,and his skills in football made him so popular at Kyekyewere and beyond. In fact he was the village champion, and being his little brother, i decided to copy him. We were so close and did everything together, so gradually, i also nurtured my potentials and always played for my school teams" he explained. Often refered to as Reverend for his staunch christian principles, Mr Oti Akenten who was born on March 10, 1955 started his basic education at the Kyekyewere Local Authority primary before proceeding to Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School, where he did his GCE 'O1 and Level Certificates between 1969 and 1974 .
Early stages
Keen in nurturing his football potentials to the highest level, he featured prominently in the school team at Sefwi Wiaso Secondary, and because of his outstanding skills he was spotted to play for the national U-20 team between 1974 and 1975.
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It was at that time that he caught the eyes of the management of Accra Great Olympics, a Division One side, who signed him to play for the team for two years.
His next stop was at Defence Stars, another Division One side, which later became SS 74 , where he featured prominently between 1976 and 1979 before shifting allegiance toTema Food Complex.
Coaching career
It was while playing active football that Mr. Oti Akenten developed the interest of building his capacity in the management of footballers, hence seeking admission at the University of Education, Winneba, where he developed his coaching profession.
He also sought admission at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, between 1983 and 1986 where he studied for the Bachelor of Science (Education) and Physical and Health Education. Prior to that, he studied Diploma, Physical and Health Education between 1981 and 1983, also at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
In March 1996, he again studied Advanced Soccer Coaching in Brazil, but before then, he did an I.O.C/ FIFAAdvanced Soccer Coaching Course in April 1993.
Other coaching programmes he has undertaken are the Soccer Clubs Coaches by British Council & Ghana Football Association (GFA) in Ghana in September 1990.
- O. C. / FIFAAdvanced Soccer Coaching in December 1990 , as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Preliminary Course in Soccer Coaching in Ghana May, 1990 .
Part Time Lecturer
His desire to impart the knowledge acquired as coach over the years induced him to be a part time Lecturer at the Sports Department of the University of Education, Winneba between 2013 and 2014.
He also taught as a Part-Time lecturer in football coaching to postgraduate and undergraduate students at the University of Education between 2013 and 2014, as well as the College of Education, Gashua, Bormo State Nigeria, where he taught as a part time lecturer in football coaching between 1986 and 1989 .Between 1993 and 1995 he was a part time lecturer in football coaching at the Sports Department at the Cape Coast University
Personal achievements
With his expertise in coaching, he has been Head coach to premier sides such as Okwahu United, Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs, Kumasi King Faisal, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Ashgold, and Accra Hearts of Oak among others.He had also coached the National U-17, U-20 and a deputy coach to mthe Black Stars between 1996 and 1997.
African Football (CAF) Preliminary Course in Soccer Coaching in Ghana May, 1990 Part Time Lecturer
Coach Oti Akenten is also one personality who has amassed personal achievements both as a player and a coach among which are the FIFA U-14 (Female), Gold medalist in 2007 won in Switzerland , the Best Coach of the Year in the Ghana Premier League in 2005 /6 , Bronze Medalist in the World Youth Championship, Malaysia,in 1997 , Best Coach Award , Ghana Premier League 1997/8 , African U-20 Gold Medallist in Mali in 1995 , FIFA/ JVC World Cup U-17 Gold Medalist in Ecuador 1995, as well as FIFA/ JVC World Cup U-17, Silver Medalist in Japan, 1993.
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