Ho, (V/R) Oct. 15, GNA - Mr. Kwesi Hobenu, Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has said that the business and development plan being put in place by the Ghana Football Association (GFA)would go a long way in streamlining the administration of football in the country .

"Football is now a big business and should be observed as such, it needsa serious business plan considering the cost of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and the benefits that have so far been accrued", he said. Mr Hobenu said this in a keynote address at the launch of the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) five-year Business and Development Plan at Ho on Tuesday.

The launch coincided with the opening of a six-day workshop for 90 participants including referees, coaches and football administrators from the Volta Region.

The Plan covers the period 2006 to 2010. Mr Hobenu said the move by the GFA to put in place a Business and Development Plan to push Ghana football forward was a step in the right direction.

He said the objectives of the Plan was to redeem Ghana's lost image in football, identify talents across the country and groom them into formidable teams in the various ages in addition to the developing and co-ordinating of the activities of all stakeholders.

He praised the government for investing as much as 50 million dollars in the construction of two new stadiums in Takoradi and Tamale in support of the development of football.

Mr Ben Koufie, former GFA Chairman and an Instructor of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) called on all stakeholders to team up and help place Ghana at its right place on the global football stage.

He said football could not progress in the country if the development plans were not fully implemented. Mr Koufie said if the GFA's Business and Development Plan was implemented and the right structures put in place, Ghana would not only participate in the next World Cup, but will also be better placed to win the Cup.

Mr Francis Dogbatse, Chairman of the Regional FA in a welcome address said development of football in the Region was tactically constrained with several problems, among them being financial difficulties and office accommodation and therefore called on the GFA to help address them.

He commended Ghana Telecom for sponsoring the Premier League and called on other business enterprises to consider sponsoring the Division One league.

Colonel Cyril Necku (Rtd), who presided, observed that "failure to plan was a recipe for failure but said plans alone did not bring success and so they must be fully implemented, monitored and evaluated". 15 Oct. 06