GFA defends pre-World Cup training camp

The Ghana Football Association has defended their decision to camp in hot conditions ahead of next month’s Fifa World Cup finals which will be played in freezing temperatures in South Africa.

The Black Stars will hold a pre-World Cup training camp in Paris, France from 24 May where test matches have been lined up against Holland in Rotterdam on 1 June.

Ghana will travel to England to play Latvia at the Milton Keynes Dons Stadium on 5 June before leaving for South Africa the next day.

Critics say changes in weather conditions will affect the four-time African champions during the mundial.

But the Ghana FA has been quick to water down that assertion and stuck to their World Cup plans.

“There are a lot factors that go into the choice. One is that you must consider the ease of convergence to start the camping-Mind you we are starting the camp in Paris so we would want to be at the point where our players can easily come in and assemble without any much hustle and then long period of travel,” Ghana FA Vice-President Fred Pappoe told the BBC.

“Secondly you have to look at the facilities. We would want to camp at the place where we can get very decent facilities, serene atmosphere for the players to train and get themselves in the psyche and the mood for the World Cup.

“Thirdly, you also have to look at ease of convenience and movement to go and play your matches. We have matches that will be played in London and Rotterdam. If you are in France, it makes it easier,” he added.

“Now coming to the talk of wintry conditions and altitudes, we are going to be in South Africa close to six clear days before our first match which is more than enough for us to acclimatize and get ourselves into the stream of things.”

Ghana play Serbia, Australia and Germany in Group D at the tournament which runs from 11 June-11 July.