Contracts for work on FIFA Goal Project signed

The Ghana football Association (GFA) and FIFA, the world football governing body on Wednesday, signed an 800,000 dollar contract for the construction of "Ghanaman Soccer School of Excellence" at Prampram.
The project is being funded partly by the Ghana government with a grant of 226, 000 dollars which included the site and structures originally earmarked for the Ghana Sports Academy. The GFA is contributing 174,000 dollars in addiction to the FIFA Goal Project fund of 400, 000 dollars.
Mr Sampon Kablan, Development Officer of FIFA Goal Project in Charge of West Africa who signed for the FIFA said the agreement to go ahead with the project came after approval of the FA's proposals.
He said the contract was between the GFA, the owners of the project, Planachitects consultants of the project and T T Ustay Developers Limited, the contractors.
Mr Kablan said even though the GFA owns the facility, he and the FA would only serve as witnesses to be responsible for inspecting the project from time to time since the FIFA would release the funds directly to the consultant and contractor.
He said the consultant is entitled to six per cent of the funds whiles the rest would go to the contractor.
Mr. Kablan said the FIFA goal project is aimed at bridging the gap between the developed and advanced European countries and the under developed nations in Africa, Asia and South America to bring parity.
The project is also to help develop football worldwide, as it offers the beneficiary countries the opportunity to train coaches, referees, and football administrators as well as to embark on youth development programmes in a cost effective manner.
Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the GFA, said the project when completed would be owned by the FA since everything has been transferred into its name as a condition of the FIFA before releasing funds for the project.
The Ghanaman Centre would have two football fields, a hostel block complex made up of three buildings planned in staggered bays. Each bay would have a stair hall of six self contained bedrooms and two living rooms on the first and second floors thus bringing the total number of bedrooms in the facility to 40.
Other facilities to be provided include a cafeteria with a kitchen, an auditorium, a gymnasium, a clinic, offices, Library, a place to serve as forum for coaches as well as toilet facilities.
About 35 African countries affiliated to FIFA have benefited from the Fund although some are yet to complete their projects.