Meet RTU’s Oldest Fan

“FOOTBALL IS not for the youth only, but for all those who have the passion for it.” These were the words of 86-year-old Hajia Ayi Kalangu at the Tamale Sports Stadium on Wednesday when DAILY GUIDE caught up with her at the VIP lounge during the outstanding Onetouch Premiership match between RTU and Asante Kotoko. According to the aged woman, she had been a true fan of RTU since its inception and always watched their home matches. She explained that her condition of health did not permit her to travel to other centres with the team. On how she became interested in football, Hajia Ayi disclosed that her late husband Fusheini was one-time captain of Gbewaa Stars and each time he was playing she had to be on the field to cheer him up. As time went on, she developed interest in the game and finally adopted Real Tamale United as her team. Though grappling with high blood pressure, she indicated that she was always relieved each time she came to the stadium to watch her favourite team play. “RTU is my life,” she remarked. The woman told DAILY GUIDE that she was a card bearing fan of the club and was willing at all times to support its growth. This notwithstanding, she admitted that RTU was not a strong side today as compared to the fearsome one in the days of Abedi Pele and Mohammed Cho. She averred that the new crop of players needed to do more to enable the club take its rightful place. Hamza Mohammed she disclosed was her favourite player but said he quit the team too soon. On her personal life, she hinted that she had only a daughter who was based in America.