YES meets retired footballers

Accra, Sept 3, GNA - Mr. Kwadjo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Youth Education and Sports (YES) on Wednesday met with retired footballers of the country to discuss ways of moving the nation soccer forward. The meeting is meant to find problems being encountered by the various national teams in the country and to seek solutions in order to lift the coountry's image in the game.

Among the players who attended the meeting are, James Otoo, Dodoo Ankrah, Victus Amenyodor, Francis Ewool, Mohamed Akuse, Wilberforce Mfum, Edward Acquah, James Adjei, E.O. Oblitey, Hesse Odamtey, Johnie Olando, Ofori Quaye, John Naawu, Osei Kofi, Awuley Quaye, and Mohamed Polo.

Other are, Willie Klutse, C.K. Gyamfi, Sam Acquah, Ben Koufie, Kofi Pare, Aggrey Fynn and Opoku Afriyei.

Captain (rtd) Victus Amenyodor the spokesperson of the association said though they have been sidelined for a long time, they have a great role in the development of football in the country.

"Football has rather been hijacked by people who have never stepped on the pitch before and are running it to seek their personal interests". the spokes person said.

He said the involvement of retired footballer in the administration of football in the country is minimal and called for the need to rectified this at the next congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to ensure their full participation in football development. Captain (rtd) Amenyodor also deplored the situation where people who are not footballers are now coaches of most schools as against the qualified coaches who can perform the job perfectly when given the opportunity.

The Spokesperson also lamented on the down ward trend of the national teams and called on the minister to take steps to save the situation.

He also appealed to the ministry to re-institute the welfare fund established some years ago for old players "to prevent a situation where footballers will die as beggars".

Mr. Baah Wiredu said his sector was proud of the unity of the legends and appealed to them to be consistent in their quest to over turn the fortunes of the nation's soccer.

The minister said the ministry was considering organising a monthly basis meeting with them to stay abreast with issues that affects sports to make finding solutions to problems easy.

Mr. The Minister assured the retired players that his ministry will ensure their good health and honour them to serve as inspiration to the up and coming players.

To this end, he said, plans are far advanced to set up a hall of fame for all sports men and women as the first step to recognizing their contribution to the country.