Ghana bids for 2006 African Women's Championship

Accra, May 23, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially launched its bid for hosting of the fifth edition of the biannual African Women's Championship (AWC) slated for next year. Information pieced together by the GNA Sports indicates that the FA in a formal application sent to the offices of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt tabled the country's desire to host the event for the first time in the history of the seven-year old event.

The sources named double host Nigeria as well as Egypt as the other competitors in the race for the biggest soccer fiesta on CAF's calendar for the women's game on the continent.

The GNA Sports can confirm that in the absence of the Ohene Djan and Baba Yara Sports stadia, which would be under constructions for the CAN 2008 men's event, the Tema and El-Wak Parks would be upgraded to host the tournament, which brings together the cr=E8me de la cr=E8me of women soccer in the African continent.

This is Ghana first attempt to host the competition, which was previously shared between Nigeria and South Africa. CAF is expected to announce the host nation for the championship by the close of July after its next meeting in Cairo, Egypt. Meanwhile information pieced from the CAF secretariat by the GNA Sports favours Ghana ahead of the two other countries.

Whilst record holders Nigeria have twice played host of the event, Egypt is said to be walloping in some internal problems, which might attract sanctions from the world soccer governing body (FIFA) if not resolved.

Ghana's Black Queens, though yet to clinch the ultimate remains a regular figure since the inception of the Women's tournament in 1998 with performances that makes them one of the frontiers on the continent. 23 May 05