Former President Rawlings Pays Tribute To Coach Arday

Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday extended his condolences to the family of Coach Sam Arday, who passed away on February 12.

Recalling his experiences with Coach Arday, former president Rawlings said: “He was calm and responsible. The way he led his life, he could have lived longer. I agree with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he said the late Coach Arday was one of the finest we had as a country.” Former President Rawlings said.

Former President Rawlings paid the tribute when the family of the late former Coach, led by James Quarcoo called on him in Accra.

The brother of late Coach Arday, Ernest Arday, said: “On the 3rd of February, he fell ill and was rushed to Korle Bu where he spend about nine days. Unfortunately on the 12th of February, he passed away.”

He is succeeded by two children, Florence Arday and Sam Hemans-Arday.

The late Coach Arday was the first African coach to lead a football team to win an Olympic medal. 

He had his first coaching experience in Germany after schooling and then came back to coach the Ghana Police Team.

He also coached the Accra Great Olympics where he won the Football Association Championship 1984/85. 

He also coached the Okwahu United, Accra Hearts of Oak, and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
In 1991, he coached U20 to win bronze at Africa U20 championship tournament in Egypt and was given the management of the 2nd national team, the Black Meteors. 

The team qualified for the Olympic Games in Barcelona 1992 where they won the bronze medal. 

He also led the Black Stars to qualify for the 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso.
 
The late Coach Arday won the SWAG Coach of the Year Award in 1986, 1992 and 1995; two state awards; and also awarded member of the Order of the Volta in 1995.

In recognition of his contributions to youth and sports development, late Coach Arday was awarded the Grand medal in 2006.

GBC