Ghana sends delegation to support Hayatou

Accra, Jan 21, GNA - Ghana has sent a high powered delegation to Tunisia in support of Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) who faces a stiff challenge from Ishmeal Bhamje of Botswana in an important election slated for Tunis on Thursday, January 22.

The delegation, which has Dr Kofi Amoah as leader, includes Dr Nyaho Tamakloe and Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula, former chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and a close friend of the incumbent CAF president.

They are expected to team up with Mr. Ben Koufie, outgoing chairman of the GFA and Mr. Kofi Nsiah, general secretary, who are already in Tunisia and pledge the support of President John Agyekum Kufuor and the people of Ghana to Mr. Hayatou and deliver a goodwill message from Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, minister of Youth, Education and Sports.

The delegation is also expected to interact with the local organising committee of Tunisia 2004 on the preparation and organisation of the tournament.

Dr Amoah was quoted in a pre-departure interview as saying that "it is an opportunity that must be seized to help push Ghana to establish an invigorating, exciting and financially sustainable football infrastructure in Ghana that will help redeem the dwindling fortunes." Ghana is bidding to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations and she appears to have won the support of Mr. Hayatou who was in Ghana last month at the invitation of President Kufuor.

A Hayatou victory will brighten Ghana's chances of winning the hosting rights, while victory for Mr. Bhamje may scuttle Ghana's chances.