Dreams FC and Ghana U-15 coach Abdul-Karim Zito has expressed disgust at how he has been constantly ignored by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, SWAG. The former U-20 coach said his performances over the years merited recognition but he never got any.
Speaking to Onua TV, Karim Zito who currently leads FA Cup champions Dreams FC said he felt appalled when his work is not celebrated. He said a media house named its top five coaches in 2023 and he wasn’t part of it. That was even after the coach guided Dreams FC to a 6th place finish in the league and won the club’s first major trophy, the FA Cup.
“Last year (2023), there was a media house that selected their top 5 coaches. I wasn’t even named among the top 5. Anytime SWAG nominate me, they overlook me for the award,” Karim Zito said.
According to him, despite doing enough to be celebrated, he often gets nominated by SWAG but never wins. Because of that he has decided to never attend any SWAG awards event.
“I have taken the decision not to attend any SWAG event even if I am nominated. Because, I know I will be overlooked for others perhaps underserving.”
He said though he led Ghana’s U-20 to a major title after over 10 years, he was not appreciated for it. He won the WAFU Zone B and CAF U-20 tournaments in 2020.
“For 13 years, we had been in the wilderness until I won the WAFU Zone B for Ghana and eventually won the CAF U20 AFCON. But they handed the individual award to a coach aspiring to win a league in Ghana. You’ve sparked sadness in me this morning talking about this, I feel pain.”
Because of those previous experiences, Karim Zito said he has opted not to participate in SWAG awards. He said even if he is nominated, he won’t attend. But he doesn’t even want them to nominate him again because after three failed attempts, he doesn’t want to try again.
“So I’ve decided that SWAG should not call me again regarding any of their event. There is no way I will go. They should not even nominate again.”
“Three times I have been there, three times I have been denied. Meanwhile, I am not there because I am Karim Zito, I am there because of my performance,” he remarked.
Karim Zito said though it might be because of the club he is managing that is why he is not valued, he does not care. He said, his consistent work at Dreams FC is gaining attention and that is okay for him.
“So it’s true, I don’t know if it’s because of where I come from [Dreams FC]. But I am happy that gradually some of you [journalists] are understanding me and now seeing exactly what I am doing for Ghana football.”
Meanwhile, the gaffer is leading his Believers to a historic debut campaign in Africa. The club is in the quarter-final and are just a step away from getting into the semi-finals. They took a 2-1 first leg advantage against Stade Malien in Bamako. They will face their Malian counterparts in the second leg in Ghana on Sunday.