Accra Great Olympics is a name that holds significance in Ghanaian club football. At certain points in its history, Oly Dade was regarded as the third most prominent team in Ghanaian club football.
Nonetheless, the club’s journey to its current status has not been a smooth one; it has been marked by numerous memorable and challenging moments. These include victories in FA Cup competitions and league titles, as well as the experience of competing at the continental level in Africa. However, the journey also saw the club facing relegation from the Ghana Premier League.
The foundation
Founded in 1954, Great Olympics have gone on to establish itself as one of Ghana’s traditional clubs.
The team was founded by Messers S.O Glover, S.A Okwabi, EC Oblitey, Adja Provençal , W.P Tetteh, Amos Josiah and JK Ameka among many others in Sakumono. Little did the founding fathers know they were on the path to writing history and the destiny of many footballers to come in Accra for many years.
Triumphs and setbacks
The club has two Ghana Premier League titles to its name(1970 and 1974), while finishing as league runners-up for four times, with three FA Cups( 1975,1983,1995) in its trophy cabinet.
Only Asante Kotoko (24), Hearts of Oak(21) and Ashanti Gold(4) have more Ghana Premier league titles than Great Olympics, who are tied with Aduana Stars on two trophies each. The club also won the Guinness Gala competition thrice. in 1977, 1992 and 1997.
The first 24 years had the team competing in the Ghana Premier League while harnessing talents in Accra to make an impact in Ghanaian club football. Then came the turning point, 1970. Great Olympics saw themselves crowned champions of the Ghana Premier League for the first time, and the club went on win the prize for the second time four seasons later.
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A name many in the country will remember is Cecil James Attuquayefio. A midfielder whose abilities inspired and propelled Olympics to greatness. Attuquayefio was crucial for the side in the 1970s alongside forward Peter Lamptey and Edward Boye.
These names will forever be remembered as crucial in marking an era at the club as Olympics found themselves competing at the top for two decades more.
🎈 Happy 70th Anniversary to the wonder club, Accra Great Olympics! 🎉
Enjoy the celebration, Oly Dade! 🔵⚪️@AccraGtOlympics pic.twitter.com/InD1w50r0G
— 🇬🇭 Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) April 21, 2024
The early 2000s however were not smooth days for the Accra-based club. Olympics suffered relegation in the year 2004, and it looked as though the team was lacking a sense of consistency and purpose in their performances.
They however managed to bounce back to Ghana’s top flight and have not looked back. Believing in themselves and working based on to the resources available to them, the Wonder Boys have restored balance to their cause. However, they are struggling with establishing their dominance in the league.
One man who has stayed with the club since he was nine years old is Joseph Odartey Boye, popularly known as Paa Boye. Boye has spent 61 years at the club and believes that despite the Great Olympics’ struggles, the team is still one to remember in Ghanaian football.
“Great Olympics will always be remembered as a great club. Like I said many people have contributed to where the club is right now in Ghana, but although the team may not be as great as before, the dedication, passion, perseverance and unity is embedded within the team and looking back, that’s still a great thing to see and hold onto”, he told 3Sports in an exclusive interview.
Rivalry with Hearts of Oak
One of the best, if not the best in the country. The Wonder Boys have always had an amazing rivalry with league giants Accra Hearts of Oak.
Although Hearts have often run away with more victories and titles at the end of league campaigns, Olympics never made it easy for them, and in recent years of social media dominance, the rivalry has taken a different toll beyond the pitch and the traditional media, now onto digital platforms, specifically social media outlets.
Current status
Great Olympics currently sit in 12th place on the league log and will be aiming to make a strong finish come the end of the season.
After seven decades filled with league titles, FA Cups, numerous goal king awards for their players, and the rollercoaster of relegations, Oly Dade stands tall. They remain the club of the people. The Wonder Club.
For 70 years, they have relentlessly fought and pursued glory, enduring highs and lows, good days, and frustrating times. Through it all, their loyal fans have never wavered in their support. Great Olympics has undoubtedly made themselves proud.