FIFA keeps an eye on GFA

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - FIFA is monitoring how the Ghana Football Association (GFA) utilises its $250,000 grant meant for developing football at the grassroots level.

Mr Sampon Kablan, FIFA Development Officer in charge of West Africa, told the GNA Sports on Friday at the closing section of a three-day workshop on GFA's long term football development plan that previous funds had not been properly managed.

Until recently, the Women's Football Committee's share of 10,000 US dollars were withheld by the GFA for no apparent reason nearly causing a stand-off between the two (GFA and Women Football Committee) bodies. The fund, which is disbursed quarterly by the world football governing body, FIFA, is to be used to develop the game.

Seven committees within the GFA each outlined ambitious four-year development plans to move the association to higher heights and make it more vibrant by 2008.

The heads of the Referees, Men's football, Women's football, Youth football, Technical development, Sports medicine and Marketing and Media committees presented their action plans aimed at attaining higher standards in Ghana football.

The Referees Association for instance intends among other things, to raise the standards of middlemen and their assistants through a rigorous and regular refresher courses and the introduction of a catch-them-young policy to beef-up the number of referees in the country.

The workshop organised by FIFA and facilitated by the GFA was to outline the vision and plans of the various committees within the FA. It was also to educate the GFA on how to manage the development funds.

Former GFA Chairman Mr Ben Koufie and Kablan were among the resource persons for the three-day event.