Germany to build training complex in Brazil

Ghana’s World Cup group opponents Germany have revealed a stunning expensive plan for their group matches in the tournament by building their own training base in Brazil during next year’s competition.

The three-time World Cup winners will use their own purpose-built training base in Brazil during next summer’s finals showing how much the Europeans are willing to spend on the tournament.

The Black Stars, who were drawn with the Europeans in Group G of the tournament in South America, will have to make do with the training base given by FIFA despite the travel difficulties as Ghanaians cannot afford the expensive plan of the Germans.

The under-construction venue, which will be developed by a Munich property firm, will cover 15,000 square metres and will have 60 bedrooms, a training pitch as well as a fitness centre.

A football youth academy and an orphanage will also be built on the site, 30km north of Porto Seguro.

The DFB said the Campo Bahia base is within two hours’ flight of the three cities – Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife – where Germany will play their Group G games at the tournament.

This revelation shows how Germany are seriously taking the tournament by splashing money on the preparation and participation in the competition in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

This flies in the face of complains by some Ghanaians about how much government would spend on the competition even though the Black Stars budget will come nowhere near what the Germans are planning to splash on the competition.

The German Football Association (DFB) said it is not funding the project.

Joachim Low’s team face Portugal on 16 June, Ghana on 21 June and the United States on 26 June.

“Bearing in mind the size of the country and the considerable distances between each tournament venue, it was important for us to minimise the strain of travelling to and from matches as much as possible,” said Germany national team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

“Acclimatisation and recovery will also play a major role at this World Cup, and our camp offers ideal conditions in these respects.

“Due to the early kick-off times and the heat and high humidity expected in Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife, we looked for a base where the players could adapt effectively to the kind of things they can expect to encounter during each match.”