Ghana 2008 fascinates CAF

Accra, Feb 14, GNA - Suleiman Habuba, CAF Director of Communications says the continent's soccer controlling body was delighted with the high number of sponsors Ghana 2008 attracted.

He told GNA Sports that CAF was also proud of innovations adopted by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensure new benchmarks were set for future events.

"CAF is proud to be part of the trophy tour and other innovations by the LOC and also the Stanbic Blue Lounge at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium."

Stanbic in collaboration with CAF and the LOC organized the first ever trophy tour, where the original Africa Cup of Nations trophy was paraded through the 16 countries that had qualified for Ghana 2008. Stanbic Bank was one of the major sponsors of the 26th edition of the competition won for the sixth time by Egypt. He said the quality of the tourney proved that football was not only an opportunity to play, but a meeting point for business communities to interact.

The Communications Director saluted Ghana for staging a fabulous event and commended Stanbic for equipping the tournament volunteers with skills through the capacity building programme that preceded the biennial showpiece.

He was glad the current level of the game on the continent confirmed that football was not only for entertainment but also a huge industry that could change the African economy in years to come. Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Ghana, said Ghana 2008 provided a platform to unite Africa.

He was thrilled by the quality of football displayed by the 16 teams during the three-week event that had five billion global audience. "The tournament has produced some wonderful discoveries and great talents. It has really placed African football on the world stage."