WAFU Meeting Begins In Accra

Accra, (Greater Accra) 17 Oct.,

Accra, (Greater Accra) 17 Oct., Mr. E. T. Mensah Minister of Youth and Sports today regretted the situation whereby more importance is attached to other international and continental football bodies than is accorded West African Football Union (WAFU) by its own constituent members. " Thus, the concern which is shared by many, has been gaining ground that WAFU competitions are accepted only as being of third place importance even by participating countries that should celebrate them as their own", he said. Mr. Mensah was addressing the three-day Executive Committee congress of WAFU in Accra. Eight out of the 15 member-countries are attending the congress which is being held for the first time in the country. They are, Ghana, Niger, Liberia, Nigeria, Bennin, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Cote D'ivoire. WAFU seeks to accelerate sub-regional co-operation through the promotion and development of football under the auspices of the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS). The Minister called on the delegates to re-charge and re-fashion their sense of mission and commitment to enable WAFU to realise its full potential of serving the larger interest of the member states. Mr. Mensah was not happy with the low intake of gate fees, resulting from the decling spectatoring in the sub-region when it comes to WAFU engagements and said the time has come for WAFU to redefine its goals and objectives to meet changing demands. Serious consideration should, therefore, be given to WAFU moving into the vanguard in the drive to sensitise the business community especially those in our sub-region, to invest in football at all levels. Mr. Mensah said inspite of the large number of African footballers in Europe, the continent is yet to benefit positively. The out-going Ghana Football Association Chairman, Nana Sam Brew Butler, who is also the vice-chairman of WAFU, called for the organisation of a two-yearly WAFU nations cup championship for the senior nations teams. The congress always precedes WAFU final match which this year's is between Tema Ghapoha Readers of Ghana and Juennesse Sportive Tennese of Niger, scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19.