The Director-General of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA), Samuel Awuku and management together with management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko launched a partnership worth ¢1 million in Kumasi on Monday, 22nd November 2021.

In August this year after the appointment of Mr. Awuku as NLA Director-General, Nana Yaw Amponsah led Kotoko to present a partnership proposal to the Authority.

“After the appointment of my boss as Director-General NLA, Nana Yaw Amponsah and his management were the first to present a working proposal to the new Director-General. After our initial assessment we thought that a major partnership with Kotoko makes economic sense so Mr. Awuku proceeded to the board to get approval for the deal,” Goodfellow Dei Ofei recounted at the launch.

Speaking at the brief ceremony held at the Golden Tulip Hotel Kumasi to unveil the Ghs 1 million sponsorship and the launch of the Atena game, Mr. Awuku said “I am happy that the NLA as it approaches its 60th Anniversary next year have partnered a club with the pedigree of Kumasi Asante Kotoko to introduce another innovation in the lottery and football circles as it sought to enter the digital space to reward the supporters and well-meaning Ghanaians."

"I thank the Life Patron of the club - Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, Board & Management of the club for this wonderful partnership and I urge the fans of the club to patronize the Atena Game to rake in some revenue for the club."

Nana Yaw Amponsah the CEO of Kumasi Asante Kotoko in his remarks thanked the Director-General and management of the NLA for this partnership and asked the fans of the club to become ambassadors of the NLA and also patronize the products of the Authority so the management of the NLA can see the benefits of the partnership.

The NLA also used the occasion to unveil their new game called the Atena.

Explaining the mechanics of the Atena Game Mr. Bernard Buamah the Head of Marketing and Caritas Platform of the National Lottery Authority said “we should all help bring back the love of Ghana football by supporting this novelty."

One would have to predict 5 jersey numbers of the team to be drawn by dialing *780# to follow the prompts to enter the game.

An entry cost’s Ghs 2.00 and there were no limitations to the number of times one could play. An interesting twist to this game was the opportunity of the NLA’s traditional lotto players to play this game at Ghs 1.00 by entering their serial numbers on their lotto coupons before playing their selected Jersey numbers.

Prices to be won in this game included cash, electronic appliances, fuel coupons, replica jerseys, match tickets and grand prizes of a salon car and all expenses paid trip to Dubai”.

Present at the event to grace the occasion was the Board Chairman of the National Buffer Stock Company, Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye, Director of Legal of the NLA Madam Afumuah Bruce, Director of Sales and Marketing Mr. Opoku Boakye, head of sales Mr. Fred Anaafi, Akua Pokuaa Kwarteng - Head of Legal Domestic, Thomas Sevordzi - Finance Manager, David Obeng Nyarko- Comms and Brands Manager, George Kennedy- Kotoko Legends International, Coach Abdul Razak ( Golden boy ), Nana Kwame Dankwah- NCC vice National Chairman, Coach Akwasi Appiah - Kotoko Legends, Asare Boateng - Kotoko Legends International, Daniel Amo- Kotoko Legends International, Papa Arko- B Marley - Kotoko Legends International, Opoku Nti - Kotoko Legends International, Wofa Adu - NCC, Hon. Joseph Kotor - National Dean of Assembly members Ghana, Dr. Gyimah - Jimatech.