Ghana Wants CAN 2008, Egypt To Get 2006

THE MINISTER of Youth and Sports, Mr. Edward Osei Kwaku, has intimated that Ghana would bid to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations finals, should cabinet approve of the proposals his ministry has submitted for consideration.

This is the second instance the minister has given the hint. He reiterated this when the Guinean Minister of Youth and Sports called on him in Accra last Tuesday, when Mr. Osei Kwaku used the occasion to solicit support from Guinea.

He told the Guinean Youth and Sports Minister that a formal delegation from Ghana would be visiting Conakry shortly to officially seek their support.

Mr. Osei Kwaku told his counterpart from Guinea that the only way to achieve positive results in sports, in future is to remain focused on one’s priorities.

He observed that it is in this vein that Ghana is repudiating all negative tendencies that have made Ghana sank so low in football, in order to strive forward and regain her lost glory.

Mr. Sangare, the Guinean Minister. expressed his gratitude on behalf of the government and people of Guinea to Mr. Osei Kwaku and conceded that the cordial relationship between the two nations started long since their respective former heads of state were pioneers of OAU, as well as ECOWAS.

Mr. Sangare disclosed that since the Ministry of Youth and Sports is a complicated one, there is the need for team-work and togetherness among ECOWAS sports ministers, to meet regularly and impress upon their respective governments to make available, enough funds for sporting activities.

He further added that it was necessary for Youth and Sports Ministers of the sub-region to meet regularly to compare notes and share ideas that will help them develop sports effectively.

Egypt tipped to win 2006 bid

Egypt is likely to be named on Thursday as the host nation for the 2006 African Nations Cup.

They look set to win by default, as a result of the flaws in the bids of other competing nations.

Ivory Coast, the only sub-saharan country in the running, is in the middle of a military rebellion and Algeria - acknowledged as having the best bid - is similarly stricken by civil strife.

Libya, the outside bet for the tournament, is regarded as a pariah state by the West and choosing it could have a negative effect on Caf's efforts to promote African football on the global stage.

Over the last year, the Libyans have made high profile links with Fifa President Sepp Blatter, who was the opponent of Caf boss Issa Hayatou in the Fifa presidential elections.

They have forged an alliance with Italian football and signed big-name players in the domestic league, most notably Cameroon's Patrick Mboma.

The feeling within Caf is that Africa's premier football event must not be put at risk by awarding the hosting rights to an unstable country.

"We are tired of looking at places where something is happening or could happen," said Caf executive member Ismail Bhamjee.

"I'm not saying that Ivory Coast doesn't have a chance. They have problems today, but they may not have problems in 2006."

The four bidding countries will make their final presentations to Caf's executive committee in Cairo.

With the competition acting as the African qualifying tournament for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, home advantage could be a major factor in the five teams that represent the continent.

"This [the Nations Cup] is Africa's showpiece so we want the best," Bhamjee said.