FIFA Goal project handed over to the GFA

Prampram, (GAR) Sept. 11, GNA - Mr Sampson Kablan, Development Officer of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) on Friday officially handed over the "Ghanaman Soccer School of Excellence" at Prampram to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The project, which was partly funded with funds from the FIFA Goal Project, the GFA and the government of Ghana, cost 800,000 dollars. FIFA as apart of its efforts to promote soccer in all parts of the world, supported the project with 400 thousand dollars with the GFA and the Government of Ghana contributing 200 thousand dollars each.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mr Kablan said the project would provide the nation the opportunity to develop football at the grass root level.

According to Mr Kablan, Ghana stands to benefit from more grants from FIFA in the near future if the present project is well utilised. He expressed appreciation to the government for its support in the implementation of the project.

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, Chairman of the GFA lamented on the coaching problems facing the African continent.

He said while the continent has over the past years produced great footballers like Abedi Pele and Oppong Weah among others, it still has to look elsewhere for coaches to take over their national teams. Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said this does not help the African game and often leads to crisis such as the current one being faced by Ghana following the sudden departure of the Black Stars coach, Mariano Barreto.

He expressed the hope that the full utilisation of the facilities at the "School of Excellence" will produce men and women of excellent ability to move Africa forward in all aspects of the game in the areas of technical and tactical, administration, refereeing and marketing. The "Ghanaman Centre" has two international standard 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 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. 11 Sept 04