Beach Soccer League Player interview

* – Habib Nader of Chorkor Blue Whales*

Habib Nader, the general captain of Ablekuma South based Chorkor Blue Whales says he is not a rough player on the sand at the beach, rather he is very fit and loves to play it hard and fair.

The O’reilly SHS sports personality said beach soccer needs a lot of stamina and power so he tries to combine all and often he is warned by the match officials. He noted that because Ghanaian players are not at home with the rules of beach soccer, it will take some time before all the players and officials get to know or are familiar with the rules and regulations.

He appealed to the executives of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association (GBSA) to organise workshops for players and officials as well as the fans, so that people who love the game will play their best and make the game more interesting.

According to Nader, beach soccer has come at the right time and most players who couldn’t make it on the field can shine in the sand.

He praised the organisers and sponsors for coming up with two leagues at the same time in the year when the discipline was introduced for the first time in this country.

"In fact CAL bank and Clementia Contacto must be congratulated for coming on board to help the development of beach sports. I was born and bred at Korle Gonno and I have played at the beach since I was a kid, so this game is for me,” Nader told www.sportsinghana.com.

He added: “I want to make an impression and feature for my country Ghana. I am an all round sportsman. I play volleyball, basketball, and football, but I think Beach soccer is the big deal. I want to be called into the national beach soccer team and Ghanaians will see what I can really do."

Habib Nader hinted that his idols are Stephen Appiah, who comes from Chorkor, who took Ghana to two FIFA World Cups in 2006 and 2010 as well as Dede Ayew, the new star on the block.

He congratulated all mediamen who have devoted their time to beach soccer, especially TV Africa who are giving unknown stars the much needed exposure and publicity.

He said the Clementia Contacto Division One League is very interesting and hoped his club will win to qualify for the Premier division.

Habib's hobbies are sports and music. When he is free, he operates a pub called the Paparazzi where he has promised to host his colleagues, officials and executives should they win the Division One title.

He once featured for Magic Cannons, BBC Sharks and Mamprobi Rising Stars. He tasked Ghanaians to take a trip to the beach at La one weekend to see the skills being displayed.

*Credit: Sammy Heywood Okine / www.sportsinghana.com*