GFA, government must learn from Asamoah Gyan and build pitches - Ibrahim Tanko

Following the inauguration of Asamoah Gyan’s ultra modern astroturf at his former school Accra Academy, Black Stars assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko has urged the Ghana Football Association and the government to follow suit and invest more in the sport.

The Ghana captain officially unveiled the astro-turf pitch he funded as a gift to his former school Accra Academy on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old, who recently signed a two-year contract with Turkish side Kayserispor, is reported to have spent around $200,000 to complete the project he started in 2015.

Several dignitaries, including Ghana’s ex-president Jerry Rawlings and a host of former Black Stars players graced the occasion.

One of such footballing dignitaries was Black Stars assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko, who rained loads of commendations on Gyan for the project, and called on other bodies to replicate Gyan’s move.

According to Tanko, though he would entreat other footballers follow suit, the responsibility lies more on the Ghana FA and the government to provide more of such projects.

“We have to commend Asamoah Gyan because he didn’t do this for the school alone but the whole Ghana”,

“You rarely see this kind of projects around the world and it is high time some footballers also follow suit because that is the only thing we can give back to the community”

“This time, a former player has done it, but not only former players must be pushed into doing this but the GFA and the government must look at this and provide more of such for footballers in Ghana”.

Gyan’s multi purpose facility include a turf, with a tartan track surrounding it and dressing rooms, a fence wall, toilet facilities and Flood lights will all be put in place.