Sports News of Friday, 28 September 2012

Source: GNA

Minister affirms government's support for GFA

Clement Kofi Humado, Minister of Youth and Sports, has affirmed government’s support for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to ensure the success of national teams and clubs in the country.

The Minister said his outfit was committed to helping the Association improve the standards of the game at both local and international fronts.

“We shall continue to offer the necessary support to the various national teams for their respective engagements for the rest of the year and 2013 to bring honours to the nation.

“The ministry once again wishes to assure the GFA of our unflinching collaboration and co-operation on matters of developing and promoting football in the country.

Humado who was speaking at the 14th Annual Congress of GFA which ended on Thursday in Prampram said the affirmation was borne out of his outfit’s satisfaction with some initiative carried out by the GFA last season.

“The introduction of the electronic registration and verification systems for players helped to significantly solve the perennial problem of protests in respect of unqualified players that some years ago culminated in the winning of points at the FA's boardroom instead of the football pitch."

Similarly, he lauded other initiative such as the introduction of the Referees Review Panel, the presentation of referees’ strips to the referees officiating in the Division One League and among others.

He willed the GFA to improve efforts to get more sponsors for the league and tasked officialdom institute measures to clamp down hooliganism.