AMA boss commends Ghana Beach Soccer Association

*Hon Alfred Vanderpuije, Chief Executive of t5he Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) has lauded the efforts of the executives of the Ghana Beach Sports Association (GBSA) in trying to find work, entertainment and development for the people of Ghana.*

Speaking at his office on Tuesday when he received the President of GBSA, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah who was on a courtesy call to present a letter of appointment to the mayor, he said Beach Sports is ideal as it will help make the beaches clean.

According to the AMA boss, the new sport will not only make way for the beaches to be clean, but create opportunities for entertainment and warned those who drink and swim to beware of the dangers.

He noted that the name of Ghana will sour higher if Ghana competes at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the future and tasked the GBSA to try as much as possible to get a good team to represent Ghana at the next World Cup.

Yaw Ampofo Ankrah who presented a letter appointing the mayor as a patron of the Association said all plans and preparations for the first ever beach soccer league in Ghana is far advanced and on October 1, 2011 the La Pleasure Beach will witness an exciting event.

He hinted that 20 teams have so far registered to participate in the league which is to be sponsored by CAL Bank. He stressed that the qualifiers for the league comes off at Ada on Sunday where the top ten clubs will be selected for the championship.

Meanwhile the GBSA has released the list of media ambassadors and officers to assist the association steer the media drive of Beach Soccer in Ghana. The list includes seasoned sports journalists like Maurice Quansah of Graphic Sports, Kennedy Boakye Ansah GTV Sports, Sammy Heywood Okine of S portsinghana.com and deputy deputy general secretary of the Sports Writers Assocaition of Ghana (SWAG) and Charles Osei Asibey of Happy FM.

Other sports media personalities to be named as Beach Soccer officers are Veronica Commey of GNA, Ernest Koranteng of Joy Sports, Moses Antwi Benefo aka PJ of Asempa FM, Dan Kweku Yeboah of Peace FM and Radio Gold ace sports reporter Nana Darkwah.

The GBSA registered and certified Beach Soccer clubs in Ghana include James Town Octopus SC, Chorkor Blue Whales, Global Supporters SC (Ningo Prampram), Tegbi Youth Club (Keta), Osu Sea Lions SC, Senaya Soccer Sharks (Senya-Beraku), Nima Beach Soccer Club and East Legon Sharks.

Others are Sunset Sports SC (Keta), Aburiman SC (Aburi), Gulf Powers BSC (Ada), LaYoca SC, Tema Sea Warriors, Cape Coast Storm and Dansoman Tsunami. *Credit: Sammy Heywood Okine*