Beach Soccer revival down to media, CAL Bank - Yaw Ampofo Ankrah

Ace broadcaster and President of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has hailed the local sports media and CALBank for their loyal support, coverage and sponsorship.

Ampofo Ankrah made the comments on Accra based Rainbow Radio at the end of the four week round robin knock our tournament.

"Honestly, the coverage has been excellent across board on radio and television. Not to mention online and print reportage. I would like to use this platform to once again say a big ayekoo to everyone involved in the just ended tournament especially reporters who travelled from coast to coast "

The CALBank Super Cup, tour had 16 teams drawn from the Volta, Western, Central and Greater Accra regions.

Matches were competitive and fiercely contested; which is why it was possible for newcomers and underdogs to cause upsets with eventual winners Cape Coast Young Sharks beating Sea Lions from Accra.

The head of Marketing at CALBank Kofi Siabi who was ever present at every match was also singled out for praise.

"The entire beach soccer fraternity felt hugely motivated by the presence of the CALBank team led by Mr Kofi Siabi. From Accra right down to Abuesi in the Western region, they were visible and very supportive. Let me once again put it on record that without CALBank, Beach Soccer in Ghana would have been dead by now"

Nana Essilifie and Nana Kojo Conduah all chief fishermen from Abuesi were also present at the grand finale in Abuesi as well as Daniel Kotey head coach of the national beach soccer team - Black Sharks.

The media including ATV, Rainbow radio, Kwesé Sports, Y-fm, Ghanaian guardian, Oxygen world, Modern Ghana, GBC, Unique and Yfm also covered the tournament.

However, Ampofo Ankrah lamented the fact that Ghana would not be present at the AFCON Beach Soccer tournament Egypt 2018.

He explained that the Black Sharks would not be at Sham El Sheikh this December due to very unfortunate circumstances.

It would be recalled that in April 2018, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sent an invitation to Ghana to participate in the African qualifiers which also doubles as World Cup qualifiers.

However the failure of the now dissolved GFA to respond to CAF after several email reminders and extended deadlines meant that the Black Sharks were disqualified even before kicking a ball.

Despite this setback Ampofo Ankrah remains upbeat that next year, with preparations in place and the support of Cal Bank, the national team should be back competing amongst the big boys once again.