Datus Soccer Academy Represents Ghana

....At Aberdeen Football Festival

The 24th Aberdeen International Football Festival was launched yesterday, with a team from Ghana bringing the number of countries who have taken part up to 42.

Andrew Armstrong, chairman of the organising committee, said preparation had been difficult this year, but is confident that next week's festival will be another success.

Armstrong said: "It has been particularly difficult to prepare for a number of reasons, including the international situation and difficulties in finance for both visiting teams and local funding.

"However, we have overcome this thanks to the support of local teams from Aberdeen and the north of Scotland.

"Of course, we want an international flavour to the event and we are delighted to have teams from as far afield as Ghana and the Faroe Islands.

"Because of concerns about international terrorism, we were, unfortunately, unable to secure a side from America.

"But long-time friends of the competition, Old Benonians of South Africa, have arrived in Aberdeen already."

Old Benonians will enter teams in two events.

They will be competing in the boys' 14 years age-group competition - alongside Livmavady Youth, of Northern Ireland, the Faroe Islands and six teams from Scotland, including debutants Ross County.

The South Africans are also competing in the boys' 16 years event alongside Ghanaian team Datus Soccer Academy, South London Schools, Tobermore Academy, of Northern Ireland, and local Scottish teams.

There are only two girls teams taking part this year and organisers have decided to keep the Lord Provost Cup final for finals day at the Chris Anderson Stadium tomorrow week when Aberdeen will face Buchan Girls.