FIFA boss commends Prez Kufuor

Accra, Jan. 12, GNA - FIFA boss, Joseph Sepp Blatter has commended President John Agyekum Kufuor for appointing Ghana's soccer ambassador extraordinaire, Abedi Ayew Pele as his Special Representative on Ghana's World Cup Planning Campaign.

A message signed by Mr Blatter on Wednesday, praised the President for choosing Pele saying, "It was a wise decision you took." President Kufuor elevated Abedi last Friday when he unveiled the 18 carat gold FIFA World Cup trophy at the Accra International Conference Centre when it made its first stop on a 100-day tour across 28 countries and 31 cities.

Subsequently, the ministry wrote on behalf of the President to formally inform the ex-soccer star spelling out his responsibilities. Chief among them, he is expected to perform official functions as may be assigned by the President and to serve on various committees in respect of the campaign.

The message said, "Abedi Ayew Pele is a very competent football leader, member of FIFA Football Committee and a close friend," adding that his appointment could bring enormous benefit to Ghana. Abedi, three-time African Footballer of the Year (1991-1993) was a member of the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad at age 16. He captained the Black Stars from 1992 till he quit the national team in 1998 after Ghana's dismal showing at the Burkina Faso tournament.

Abedi, 42, started his playing career at 13 with Farcos, a colts club at Accra New Town and won the best juvenile player in 1978 by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

Among some of the foreign clubs he played for were Olympics Marseille in France, Torino in Italy, German side, 1860 Munich for two years and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates at the twilight of his career. He is currently the founder and owner of F/C Nania, a Division One Club in Accra.