Dr. K. K. Sarpong is seeking to transform Kotoko with modern ways of running the game

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has held ‘fruitful’ talks regarding a working partnership with the biggest club in Ghana Asante Kotoko.

The two clubs discussed how Kotoko can benefit from the Black Cats’ huge expertise in training, the area of medics, player development, coaching support and commercialization of the club.

Sunderland will also learn from Kotoko on how sustain relationship with Africa with some five Africans at the team including three Ghanaians.

Quinn proudly welcomed officials from the top Ghanaian club Kotoko to Sunderland’s Academy of Light training headquarters three days ago.

Kotoko’s delegation to the club was led by the board chairman Dr. K. K Sarpong, Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh and Patrick Ofori as well as Justin Addo, the Fifa match agent, who brokered the move.

As the biggest club in Ghana, Kotoko has an astonishing eight million followers and the respective chairmen had fruitful discussions on how both clubs can work together in the future.

The delegation toured the Black Cats’ state of the art training facilities, meeting Steve Bruce and the players, including Sunderland’s three Ghanaian internationals, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari and John Mensah.

They also visited the Stadium of Light and the Sunderland chairman was delighted to spend time with them.

He said: “It was a huge honour to welcome the Kotoko officials to our club. There’s a tremendous passion for football in Ghana and I see a real synergy with Sunderland in that respect.

“We could see that from watching Tuesday’s friendly against England and of course the international sides’ fantastic performance at the World Cup just what football means to the people of Ghana – there’s an infectious enthusiasm about them that’s wonderful to witness.

“We had an incredibly positive meeting with the chairman and senior officials and I feel privileged that they can see how their future development can be helped by what they can learn through us.”