Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah was on Sunday, June 10, 2018 honoured with the Order of the Star Award, the most prominent award of the 2018 Calcio Trade Ball.
The award ceremony which is an initiative of Arthur Legacy Sports and supported by the Italian Embassy is organized annually to recognize the efforts of current players who ply their trade in the Italian Serie A, as well former footballers who had stints in Italy.
Among the distinguished personalities who gathered at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra to witness the glitzy event were the Italian Ambassador Giovanni Favilli, The Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo as well as former and current footballers.
In an address, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Giovanni Favilli, disclosed that Italy was currently the home of close to 100 Ghanaian footballers, the highest in any European country. Favilli also added that Italy ranks fourth when it comes to remittances to Ghana.
He underscored the important role football plays in enhancing cordial relationship that exists between Ghana and Italy.
“The number of Ghanaian players in Italy is nearly 100 in all the different series. It is the highest number of Ghanaian football players outside Ghana, a fantastic number. Another number that I often give is the amount of money from Italy that goes back to Ghana, of course it is not only the footballers (who send back these monies). Italy is the fourth country, in terms of remittances to Ghana. The theme of this year is also a very important one. I believe Calcio football is also a sports that teaches you how to behave in life.
Receiving his award, Stephen Appiah paid glowing tributes to Mohammed Gago who blazed the trail for Ghanaian players in Italy.
The ‘Tonardo’ as he is known recounted how Mohammed Gago who was then the skipper of Udinese feigned an injury in a friendly to give him (Appiah) an opportunity for him to impress the coaches.
“There is this special person who made it possible for me to get a contract in Italy and this special person is Gago Mohammed. I want to dedicate this award to Gago Mohammed. I will always be grateful to you (referring to Mohammed Gago). Anywhere I talk about my career, I will mention your name. I went to Italy as a young boy. I didn’t know anything about the food but through hard work, I’m standing here today as a proud man”, Appiah remarked.
Former Juventus forward Richmond Boakye-Yiadom received the Football Icon Award for his exploits last year.
Other award winners include
Parent Impact Award – Theresa Aboma (Mother of Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu)
Kwadwo Asamoah - Community Service Award
Kingsley Owusu-Achaa - Lifetime Outstanding Achievement Award
Isaac Coffie - Most Consistent Player Award
Bryan Oddei - Rising Star of the Year
