Inter-Regional primary Soccer tournament opens in Sunyani

Sunyani (B/A), July 6, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, on Monday called on the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) to, as a matter of urgency, review some of its rules and regulations governing local and international football. The Regional Minister was addressing the opening of the 16th inter-regional primary schools under-12 soccer boys and the Fifth inter-regional basic schools under-15 girls' soccer festival in Sunyani. The theme for the seven-day soccer fiesta organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and sponsored by Nestle Ghana Limited, is "Get your child into sports".

Mr Nyamekye-Marfo noted with concern that football fans had witnessed and criticized a number of rules and regulations which they noted had become outmoded with regard to contemporary soccer in the on-going World Cup tournament in South Africa and needed urgent review. The regional minister was of the view that the review would help make subsequent international football tournaments more competitive. Mr Nyamekye-Marfo reiterated that unity in diversity was very critical in sports development and urged the various schools participating in this year's festival to see sports as more developmental than promotional. He said since sports played a significant role in nation building, the government had increased the capitation grant to also cater for sporting activities in basic schools.

This, Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo noted, would go a long way to unearth sports talents among pupils and students and nurture them to become national assets. He urged the participants and their instructors to exhibit a high sense of discipline to make the event successful. Mr Nyamekye-Marfo commended the GES, National Sports Council and Nestle Ghana Limited, as well as organizations and individuals who had helped in diverse ways to ensure the smooth kick-start of the festival for their support. At the time of filing this report, Ashanti Region was playing Western Region in the soccer under-12 boys at the Sunyani Coronation Park.