Inspection of beach soccer match venues to start on Friday

The inspection of potential venues for the upcoming national Beach Soccer League will commence on Friday, the 9th of June.

This was confirmed by the out-going president of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah in an exclusive interview with West African Beach Soccer Union (WABSU).

Ampofo Ankrah reiterated the need to take Beach Soccer to the next level and not to rush with such an important aspect of the game as suitable venues for teams to play.

The inspection team will be made up of Beach Soccer referees led by George Darko and Ebo Turkson as well as a media official.

George Darko confirmed to WABSU that the upcoming beach soccer league will be played across four venues. Which is the Western, Central, Greater Accra and Volta regions.

He explained that the inspection forms part of the GBSA's commitment to ensure that all pitches used are up to standard.

"This year's league will be played across four venues so it's necessary to inspect these potential sites and settle on the ones best suited for the league.

Security, proximity to the venue and hospitality facilities in a specific area are some of the things we will consider in picking a match venue" George Darko said.



Beach Soccer stakeholders have welcomed this development which they believe will give beach soccer a truly national outlook to attract local and global sponsors.

Previously, Beach Soccer matches were played at the Laboma Beach Resort in La, Accra. But demand has grown from the other coastal regions especially, the Western and Central regions where the potential for beach soccer according to referee George Darko is massive.

The Association will go to congress next Friday to conclude on outstanding issues, confirm 2017 fixtures and make possible amendments to the constitution.

Next Friday’s congress is non-elective since the GBSA executives have agreed to hold elections for new officials at the end of the upcoming season.

It is expected that 16 clubs will compete in the next season making it Africa's biggest league.

Asked about his decision not to contest for a third term as beach soccer President, Ampofo Ankrah stated that he will continue to drive the cause of Ghana and African beach soccer from his new role as director of Communications at the Lagos based WABSU.