Tangled Bodies, Smell Of Tear Gas: Herbert Mensah Speaks About His Memories Of May 9 | Football/Soccer

A former Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Herbert Mensah, has acknowledged that until date, he nonetheless will get traumatized by the occasions of May 9, 2001.

He defined that since then, he continues to get flashes of the tragedy that rocked the nation.

“The rains, the smell of tear gas, the pain, the struggle to get out of the stadium, the bodies are all part of the memory of the May 9, 2001 Accra sports stadium disaster that still lives with me even today,” he mentioned.

The May 9 catastrophe claimed the lived of 127 soccer followers when a stampede broke out throughout a conflict between arch soccer rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, on the Accra Sports Stadium.

It is regarded the worst stadium catastrophe within the historical past of Ghana soccer however since then, Herbert Mensah, who was the Chairman od Asante Kotoko on the time, has been spearheading actions to commemorate the day yearly.

It is not any secret how the May 9 Foundation founder needed to endure in serving to to convey a few of the our bodies and injured followers to the hospital on a tragic day.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, Herbert Mensah mentioned that it's not sufficient that each one that's performed on a yearly foundation is that wreaths are laid within the recollections of the departed.

“It is nearly as if it was yesterday as a result of I keep in mind the problems with officiating, the supporters agitations and the police response with tear fuel and because the sup[portersattemptedtofleetheimpactoftheteargasthemaingatewaslockedandthat'showthepandemoniumstartedandIsawbodiestangledupandIcouldhearthescreamsthebloodandwehadtohelptocarrythebodiessomedeadsomeunconsciousandwithtearsinmyeyeswetriedtobreakthegatecallpeopletohelpandthatstillbreaksmyheart”headded[portersattemptedtofleetheimpactoftheteargasthemaingatewaslockedandthat’showthepandemoniumstartedandIsawbodiestangledupandIcouldhearthescreamsthebloodandwehadtohelptocarrythebodiessomedeadsomeunconsciousandwithtearsinmyeyeswetriedtobreakthegatecallpeopletohelpandthatstillbreaksmyheart”headded

He called for continuous support and the provision of safety and comfort for football lovers who strong stadiums in the country, while stressing that all forms of threats are discouraged in stadiums.

Herbert Mensah was contributing to a BBC Outside Source program hosted by James Reynold that was looking into the October 1 Indonesia soccer disaster that left over 100 people dead.

Herbert Mensah, who is currently the president and Board chairman of Ghana Rugby, also stated that since the May 9 Disaster in Ghana, he has stayed in touch with the affected families.

“I'm in touch with the people of Hillsborough, I'm in touch with the people of Ellis Park, so I know what is done in different countries, continuously remembering the occasion and the symbolism.

“I gave my word that no one will be forgotten and that's the rationale behind the walk which usually attracts over 20 thousand people and through that we have helped with medical bills, counseling, and even some of the mothers who were pregnant and didn't even know their husbands had gone to the soccer match and died as a result so it is our responsibility to keep their spirit high,” he said.

The May 9 foundation has since supported some of the victims financially, as well as with the upkeep of children of the victims.