NGO to hold nationwide fora on soccer problems

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - AFA Foundation International, a Christian Developmental NGO, on Friday said it would hold regional forums and public lectures on recent problems confronting Ghana's soccer. The programme, which would be handled by seasoned and competent resource persons would be conducted in the local dialect to enable everybody especially football players contribute effectively to make the soccer industry a formidable one.

A statement signed by Mr. Kofi Lucas, President of the Foundation listed 10 main problems facing the industry and said; "In view of all these challenges, AFA Foundation has decided to organise a series of public lectures in all the regional capital to address these imminent setbacks facing the football industry."

It said the outcome of the fora would be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports among others for consideration and action.

The statement mentioned target groups for this forum as Club Chief Executives, football Administration Managers, and club supporters, union executives, referees, coaches, commentators and football fans. It would be under the theme "Football, Club, and Player Management: The challenges and the way forward."

The 10 main problems enumerated included, Player Management as Investment, Player's rights and contractual abuse, club management, football management, football as investment, business and tourism, player discipline.

The rest were refereeing and football management, football fans and hooliganism, and local coaches and football development.