GFA Launches Sports Development Programme

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is to benefit from a 450,000 dollar FIFA package as part of its Goal Project towards reactivating work on the ultra modern sports complex dubbed "Centre for Excellence" at Prampram in the Greater Accra region.

The Goal Project is FIFA's contribution towards the development of soccer in all national football associations.

Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the GFA disclosed this to GNA Sports at the launch of the five-day Volta Regional GFA's Five Year Football Development Plan at Ho on Tuesday.

He said government would also provide 170,000 dollars towards the prompt completion of the project on schedule.

Mr Koufie said the development plan entails the laying of structures, building infrastructure, improving sports administration, coaching and refereeing as well as unearthing talents at the grassroots' levels.

He said the systematic innovation and nobility of the five-year development plan would lay structures for continuity and make it possible for the country to rediscover its lost glory and strength in football.

The GFA Chairman blamed the nose-dive trend of football development in the country on unsystematic and unscientific approaches to the game.

Mr Koufie reiterated that emphasis would be placed on age limit categories of talents to be unearthed and harnessed into a pool of players for continuity and progression.

He said the GFA is liaising with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to fashion out a school sports development programme at all levels to include both boys and girls.

He lamented that the present crop of sportsmen in the region could not inscribe the name of the region in the game, as was the case of Seth Amexo, Seth Dogbe, Willie Kutse, and Samuel Aguadze among others.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Deputy Volta Regional Minister said district assemblies in the region have been tasked to commit some percentage of their common Fund towards the development of the game. He therefore, called on all stakeholders including chiefs, parents, teachers, and governmental and non-governmental organisations to contribute to the total realisation and development football in the region.

"This is the surest way to develop the game for posterity to inherit," he said and urged the participants to take the course seriously.

Mr Francis Dogbatse, Chairman of the Volta Region Football Association said lack of finance is the bane of sports development in the region and appealed to the people of the region to support development of football.

Togbe Asamoah II, Asafofia of Ho-Bankoe, who presided noted that sports is the bedrock of peace and development and it must be embraced by all.

Present were, Messrs George Dasoberi, GFA Development Officer; Emmanuel Afranie, National Chief Soccer Coach; Osam Dodoo, Technical Director of GFA; Kuuku Dadzie, a Soccer Analyst and Prosper Agbovi, CAF Referee Instructor.