The gesture is in recognition of Sariki Madugu’s contribution to the development of football in the area.

Mr Crankson made the presentation in the company of some members of the association, including Kuuku Dadzie, Felix Agyepong, George Coleman, J.K Hagan and Dan Ewudzie.

Sariki Madugu, 77, started his sporting career as an athlete before adding football during his days at the Antem School in Cape Coast.

His actual football journey began when, as a 10-year-old boy, he visited the training grounds of Cape Coast Venomous Vipers where he stunned the late Ben Koufie with his deft skills.

“It just happened that I met players of Vipers who were about to embark on a journey to Bibiani in the Western Region for a football match and I was asked to bring my boots and join the team,” he told the delegation, adding: “That was my first time playing with the Vipers team.”

Sariki Madugu said he wore the number seven jersey on the day and scored a goal and, “from then on I played for Vipers until 1973 when I moved from Cape Coast to join Swedru All Blacks”.

Some of Madugu’s playmates were Robert Mensah, Aggrey-Fynn, Coach Adabie, Ben Kuofie, Wilberforce Mfum, Salisu and Baba Yara.

He was also part of the Central Region team which played for the Black Stars when Ben Kuofie and Aggrey-Fynn were in charge of the team.

He said the money he earned while playing for Vipers enabled him to secure the house he is currently staying in.

His son, Shaibu Madugu, also played for Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs.