Upgrade Football Infrastructure, Technology -Dasobri

Bolgatanga (U/E), Sept 29 GNA - A veteran Ghanaian football administrator, Mr George Dasobri, has said the lack of investment in upgrading football infrastructure is largely responsible for the sinking image of the game in the country.

Referring to Ghana's current FIFA ranking of 79, he said all stakeholders in football must stop paying lip service to the game, emphasizing that there was an urgent need to provide the necessary resources to develop the basic infrastructure for training.

Mr Dasobri, who is the National co-ordinator of the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) five- year development plan, was speaking at the passing out ceremony of 33 football administrators and technical personnel at the weekend in Bolgatanga.

The trainees, who were drawn from all the six districts of the Upper East Region were awarded certificates of merit in basic refereeing, coaching and football administration. They had earlier this year participated in a one week course as part of the GFA's five-year development plan.

The Upper East Regional Sports development officer, Mr Dominic Asabea, attributed the poor performance of clubs in the region to lack of technically competent football referees, coaches and administrators. He, therefore, described the course as timely and echoed the call by Mr Dasobri that all stakeholders must join hands to resource the national sports council to do its work well.

Mr Asabea also called on the private sector to invest in soccer and other sporting activities saying soccer in particular has become a big business.

He advised the beneficiaries to let their improved knowledge and skills reflect in the development of the game in the region. The GFA five year development plan which began last year is being funded by the regular budget of the association and supported by the FIFA assistance fund.