Donation towards reorganization of women soccer

Koforidua, Nov. 9, GNA - The Women League Board (WLB) on Tuesday presented 16 footballs, a cheque of 1.8 million cedis to cover officiating allowances and 4.8 million cedis worth of fuel coupons to the Eastern Regional Women Football Association(ERWFA) at Koforidua. The presentation was to support the ERWFA to complete the organization of this year's regional women football league.

The Chairman of the WLB, Mr Sylvester Mensah who presented the items said similar packages had been presented to other Regions under the FIFA Assisted Programme of 10,000 dollars support for the revival of women football in the country.

Mr Mensah said it was the decision of FIFA that the package should be made in the form of equipment and not to dole out cash. He said under the programme, the WBL was to undergo restructuring with the establishment and inauguration of Regional Women Football Committees and to put in place structures for the establishment of U-13, U-16 and U-19 women football teams in the Regions.

Mr Mensah said the programme was also to encourage more women to train as referees and football administrators and to help in the establishment of Regional Women Football Development Officers to help in the identification and training of women footballers in the regions. He said the four-year project, which was to last until 2008 was to ensure the training of retired players of the Black Queen as well as Physical Education Tutors to become women football coaches. Mr Mensah said the project was to help in the establishment of National Women Football League in the country by 2007. He said in the same year the First Lady's Trophy would be introduced for the first time to be competed for by the Southern and Northern Sector on home and away basis in Accra and Kumasi.

The Chairman of the Eastern Regional Football Association, Baffour Adjei Tuffour expressed his appreciation for the support extended to help in the development of women football in the Region. He suggested that FIFA should be properly briefed to appreciate the need to include cash support in its projects for football teams in the country if the expected impact was to be achieved since most of the clubs lack the financial support to maintain their teams.