Women Soccer breathes a sigh of relief

Women Soccer, which has suffered complete rejection since its introduction in the country 10 years ago would at last breath a sigh of relief, thanks to the vision of the new management of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The FA has planned to put some structures in place to bring women soccer to the accepted standard just as their male counterparts. "Women soccer should have been on a better platform by now, the problem of teams being assembled hurriedly for international assignment would be a thing of the past.'

Speaking to the GNA sports on Friday, Mr. Ben Kouffie, chairman of the GFA said women soccer is part and parcel of a five-year development programme to restructure the game.

'We want to have a different approach to the game; our standard of play do not measure up to the international level and the factors that contribute to this are quite obvious'. He said plans are far advanced to get an office, which would solely handle women soccer issues.

Mr. Kouffie said for start, an under-17 team which would form the base of the senior team would be formed adding that selection exercise would be undertaken throughout the country pick players.

He said regional league season would be introduced from which the under-17 squad would be formed. The current under-19 talented players would be moved up to make up to take over from the over-aged players since the country has already been registered for the 2003 women's world championship.

Abedi Ayew Pele, member of the GFA and Ghana's soccer ambassador said women soccer should be encouraged because it is something that the world soccer governing body, FIFA itself, supports.