Ghanaians need proper football structures to be successful - Chris Van Puyvelde

By Edward Gyasi,
Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Technical Director of the Royal Belgium Football Federation, Mr. Chris Van Puyvelde, has said Ghana needs to put in place the right structures to enable the country make the best out of the enormous talents at her disposal.

Mr. Van Puyvelde, who is in Ghana to organise a symposium and training program for the local coaches in the country said in an interview with the GNA Sports that, though he has not followed Ghana football keenly, he has had the chance to see great Ghanaian footballers in Europe and believes there were more talents in the country.

"I have not really followed the local football league, but i have had the opportunity to see great great players from this country in Belgium and all over Europe. I met Nii Odartey Lamptey, Prince Poli, Yaw Preko and many other talented Ghanaian players

"Looking at the quality of players this country possess it is very much possible for anyone especially Ghana to win the World Cup. But you need to have the belief to go for the ultimate. You need to go work for your dream or else forget about it

"Ghanaians must hunt for their goals and be successful in football but before you achieve that you need good structures, you need to invest in your players, coaches and clubs that is "what i want to show to the people of Ghana, good structures.

"We did this in Belgium with just 11 million people, which is twice of the Ghanaian population, it is no fluke, and we did it with hard work and determination. This is a fantastic country with so much talent, i saw so many talent on the street of Accra, so it's all about education and training that's what you need to do.

"Belgium's success in recent world football came as a result of unity and love, it has so much impact from the government, the federation and the numerous clubs in the country. They always want to work together which is the most important thing in sports said Van Puyvelde

The Belgian who doubles as a member of FIFA and UEFA Technical team further expressed his concern on how Ghanaian players move to countries with less competitive football league.

"There must be a stable and good competition in the local leagues that would help the development of the players. You need to motivate them to stay for quite some time and when they are ready to leave the country the will get better clubs in Europe.

"All those big Belgian players played in the local league, Moussa Dembele, Kevin Debruyne, Divock Origi, Eden Hazard and so many of them passed through the local system, so they understand our system of football

"Belgium has less finance as Ghanaians would also say but we try to be creative, it's so much expensive to put the kids in school because it costs a lot, but that's not the end of the world.

"Although the young Ghana local players would quest for money but trust me vision is more important. First, you need to have a vision, you start with the vision before you think about money.

"The local clubs must not think about depending on the federation or the government, usually if the government see that you are working hard they have no option but to support you. Start with what you have not what you lack," he said.

GNA