FA To Establish Soccer Academy

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), with the support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, is to establish a national soccer academy to groom talents for the national teams. The academy idea is one of many measures being adopted by the sports and football authorities to revive Ghana’s fortunes in the game.

The Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, disclosed this last Monday when he led a delegation of top sports and football officials to welcome Mr Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), to Ghana. Mr Hayatou’s visit is at the invitation of the government.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said government representatives would engage the CAF President in deliberations over the general development of football in Ghana, including Ghana’s bid for hosting rights for CAN 2008. He said Ghana would take advantage of the presence of Mr Hayatou in the country to tap his knowledge in football administration.

Among his iterenary, the CAF President will hold discussions with President Kufuor and visit some of Ghana’s football infrastructure, including the FIFA goal project site dubbed the Prampram Soccer School of Excellence and other soccer academies in the country. GFA Chairman, Mr Ben Koufie, said his association, privileged by the visit of the CAF president, would discuss matters in areas of mutual concern between Ghana and CAF with Mr Hayatou.

Also in the country with the CAF President is General Seyi Memene, second Vice President to Mr Hayatou. Among the high profile personalities who received the CAF President at the Kotoka International Airport were Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Education, Youth and Sports Minister, Mr Sylvester Mensah, Chairman of the Professional League Board and Dr Kofi Amoah, Chairman of Ghana’s CAN 2008 Bid Commitee.