Tema, Nov. 29, GNA - The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Robert Kempes Papa Nii Ofosuware, has pledged the Assembly's support for the Tema Ex-Footballers Association to enable the Association of achieving its set goals.

Mr Ofosuware, Life Patron of the Association, who was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Association at the GHACEM Club House in Tema, paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the Association for their foresight and initiative.

The MCE who made a 5,000-Ghana-Cedi pledge on behalf of the Assembly towards the Association's programmes, urged members to mentor young footballers within the Metropolis to improve on their talents. Mr Ofosuware noted that the contributions of members would go a long way in helping to unearth the potential talents of the youth and encourage the up-coming ones to contribute their quota towards sporting activities in the country.

Mr Ablade Kumah, President of the Association recounted with nostalgia, the positive role that most members who started their football career in Tema, had played towards sports development in the country. The President of the Association who was a former captain of the national team, the Black Stars, said some of his colleagues included the likes of Joe Addo, first captain of the Under-17 team in 1986 and Emmanuel Bentsil, also captain of the Under-17 team in 1995

He said others included Charles Kwabena Akunnor, Sebastian Barnes, Nii Aryee Welbeck, Joe Fameyeh, and Paul Adjoda, as well as the late Shamo Quaye, who all played colts football in their youthful days in the Metropolis.

Mr Kumah said he was optimistic that with dedication and commitment by members, the Association would become a force to reckon with and to see to development of football in the Metropolis.