Charles Allotey, a key performer in Accra Hearts of Oak’s famous “64 Battalion” has stated emphatically that he has more playing days ahead of him and so cannot be contemplating quitting football now. Speaking to Happy FM’s morning show presenter Charles Osei Asibey on Where are they?, he revealed that his form has not dipped, rather, he has gained more experience and planning a big time come-back soon. He said he is now understudying as a team manager with Hearts of Oak’s juvenile side, Auroras but also actively and regularly trains with the Phobians. Besides, he is in constant touch with the Ali Jaraah Academy as part of plans to keep himself busy. The midfielder observed with regret that Ghana’s football system, unlike elsewhere, does not encourage players to undertake coaching courses alongside playing. Allotey, a strong character whose contribution aided the Phobians achieve a lot of feats during the era of Hearts’ “Musical Youth” revealed that if he is given another chance, he will replicate the same performance that endeared him so much to Hearts fans. Allotey, who also played for Great Olympics, noted that he has more to offer as a player, and that he will not hang his boots until after four seasons. Commenting on the standard of the local league, he stated that the least said about it, the better, explaining that, “The standard is low as compared to our time. Even the two winsome sides, Hearts and Kotoko have not been consistent in performance.” He also cited inexperience among the current generation of players and the lack of mentors as part of the factors accounting for the low standard. “There is no distinction between newly recruited players and the seniors. I was tasked to tackle and nothing else when I joined Hearts, but the reverse is the case lately, the players see themselves as equal, and have adopted names of foreign players but are not living up to the adopted names.” He admonished the up-and-coming players to take their time and pay heed to their instructors as they strive to achieve greater heights. A father of two girls, Allotey recalls with nostalgia the Ghana-Nigeria encounter where the former featured only local charges under coach Jones Attuquayefio. Story by Charles Osei Asibey Br./Happy FM/Ghana