Nyantakyi calls for action to develop grassroots football

President of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantakyi has called for urgent and decisive action from the State to develop grassroots football.

Speaking for the third consecutive day on Thursday at the Commission of Inquiry into Ghana’s exit from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the GFA President called for action to improve the game.

With a huge developmental gap at the grassroots yet to be filled, Nyantakyi demanded a new approach, explaining that the development of coaches at the grassroots is as important as the provision of basic equipment and infrastructure.

“Coaching is a profession like accountancy, law and medicine so it is important to equip these people with the relevant courses,” the GFA President said as he rounded up his three-days of testimony.

“The GFA has since 2006 developed over 3000 coaches free of charge. We have also organized license B and A courses for top flight coaches who can afford. “We need to develop our coaches, especially those at the grassroots so that they can teach the kids basic rudiments in football.”

The huge financial commitments of the GFA make it difficult to provide adequate support at the grassroots, which has been spearheaded by the selfless contributions of individuals.

“There are many committed people at the local levels who are engaged in grassroot football. Some of these people sell their properties to finance the operations of colts football. When you go to Tamale, there are people who sell their guinea fowls to finance colts football and when you go to Wa, people sell bricks to finance colts football. I think we need to support all these people,” Nyantakyi said.

“What they need are basic things; just the basic tools for the trade like footballs, football boots and kits as well as something small for them to pay transportation cost to organize and play football.

“The GFA is financially constrained to provide certain infrastructure across the country but we have been helping with the provision of equipment such as football and football boots through our kit sponsors, Puma.”