Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - The Ministry of Education and Sports has initiated a move to bring the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to international standards before Ghana plays host to Uganda in the penultimate 2006 World Cup qualifier next month.

Sequel to that, Mr Frank Boahene, Head of Corporate Grounds of English Premiership side Fulham, has been contracted to begin work in earnest to bring the Kumasi grounds to an appreciable level before the crunch duel.

Mr Boahene and his team visited the Stadium on Monday and after initial assessment, began work almost immediately with the "top dressing."

As part of the preliminary work, 10 bags of fertiliser were applied and a drainage and mini irrigation system were constructed to allow for free-flow of water.

Mr Boahene who has been in charge of the grounds at Fulham for the last nine years told the GNA Sports after the exercise that the pitch would be filled with 25 tons of sand by next week for the second phase of the programme to begin.

The grounds expert, who is expected to fly back on Wednesday, has put in place a five-member team, all employees of the National Sports Council, to continue the project with detailed instructions including daily watering of the pitch until his return later in the month. The Fulham pitch was nominated as one of the best top five pitches in the English Premiership and a result of his immaculate professional touch, Mr Boahene was one of the recipients of the Ghana Professional Achievers awards held in the UK.

He has been included in the Local Organising Committee for the CAN 2008 and will be in charge of the grounds at the three new stadia and oversee the re-grassing of the existing ones as well.

Mr Boahene told the GNA Sports that he was liasing with grass manufacturing companies in Europe to secure special type of grass that would fit into "our type of climate."

He expressed his appreciation to the ministry, particularly O. B. Amoah, a deputy Minister of Education and Sports for the opportunity given him to offer his expertise for the progress of Ghana football. Mr Boahene also thanked Mohammed Al Fayed, Chief Executive Officer of Fulham for releasing him to work for his nation, Ghana.

The Ghanaian was optimistic that the Kumasi pitch would be in excellent condition before the Ghana-Uganda game "so we can witness a good match."