Desailly's Lizzy Sport Complex officially launched

A multi purpose sport complex put together by Marcel Desailly has officially been launched at a very colourful ceremony in Accra on Saturday.

The Lizzy Sports Complex named after the ex France captain’s mother (Elizabeth Addy) boasts at least three standard training pitches, an Olympic size swimming pool, a state of the art gymnasium, a health centre, lifestyle shops amongst others. The complex also possesses first class residential facilities suitable for both local and international team camping.

An exhibition game between the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) and the media was held to kick start the whole ceremony. The journalists were thrashed by a whooping 7-1 but they have already logged a protest on basis of their counterparts fielding an unqualified player.

The game was followed by the assemble of the ‘crem-de-la-crem’ of the Ghanaian society; politicians, diplomats, football administrators, ex and current footballers, co-operate bodies, entertainers and philanthropists.

In his welcoming address, Desailly told the gathering the motivation behind establishing such a facility.

“When I told my father who was then a French diplomat of my dream of becoming a footballer, he told me I’m mad,” he said.

“I then became so determined to prove to him I could be successful in football and thankfully, I was.

“However, I challenged myself to prove same in my other life after football and though I am not there yet, this investment will go a long way in fulfilling that dream.”

Newly elected President of the Ghana Football Association also gave his general impression of the edifice.

“This is the first facility of its kind in Ghana that is having both physical and residential facilities at one location and we very much have to appreciate the investment made by Marcel Desailly,” he said.

“Surely, we hope we will be able to improve the facilities at Prampram (One of four Fifa Goal Projects) to meet this standard.

A very exciting mini fashion show was held to showcase the new designs of the kit manufacturers, Puma, to cap a wonderful, colourful and eventful evening.