Ghana likely to access Goal Project fund - Kablan

Mr Sampon Kablan, Development Officer of FIFA Goal Project in Charge of West Africa has assured the nation that FIFA is likely to approve of the 400, 000 dollars Goal Project fund towards the construction of the country's Soccer School of Excellence at Prampram by April this year.

The project is estimated at 800,000 dollars and as part of FIFA's conditions, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) would have to guarantee that it would be able to raise money from other sources to augment the FIFA grant.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has so far, spent 226, 000 dollars on the first phase dubbed the "Ghanaman Centre of Excellence" which needs additional 150,000 dollars to the FIFA grant to complete the project.

The Ghanaman Centre would comprise of two football fields, a 48-room hostel, Cafeteria and kitchen, an auditorium, a gym, a clinic, storeroom, laundry and offices.

About 35 African countries affiliated to FIFA have benefited from the Fund although some are yet to complete their projects.

Mr Kablan said for a country to access the fund, it needs to fulfil three main conditions - Political stability, it must be a footballing nation, and must apply formally.

He said Ghana has fulfilled all the criteria and looks more probable to be granted the fund.

According to the rules, FIFA would release the money directly to both the consultant and the contractor on the project while the GFA and the Development officer serve as witnesses.

The contractor is entitled to only six per cent of the fund.

Mr Kablan said from this year, FIFA requires an applicant to have a long term development plan - a minimum of six-years - adding that the GFA's five-year development plan which begun last year, gives it an added advantage.

Accompanied by officials of the GFA, Mr Kablan toured the project site at Prampram, and later inspected some facilities under the GFA in Kumasi, Obuasi, Cape Coast and the Winneba Sports College.