GFA told to focus on youth dev’t

Deputy Sports Minister Vincent Oppong Asamoah has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to focus on the development of youth football if the nation’s strong football credentials are to be sustained.

Ghana has a record of producing quality footballers who come through the youth system. Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Sammy Osei Kuffuor are but a few who came through the national under 17 and 20 sides.

Speaking to Class Sports about the importance of youth football in the country, Mr Oppong Asamoah said: “We started very well at the youth level. Every football nation if you want to measure the development of football, you have to look at the youth development aspect of it. Black Stars players can be invited from all parts of the world to have a senior national team but the grass root forms the foundation of every footballing nation, so, if we are not getting that right, then the future of football might not go well”.

Ghana’s last success in a youth competition came in 2009 when the Black Satellites then led by Swansea star Dede Ayew clinched the FIFA Youth Championship in Egypt. The 2009 gold winning team produced stars including Emmanuel Agyeman - Badu, Rabiu Mohammed, Jonathan Mensah and others who are now playing for the senior national team.