GRi Sports News Ghana 24 - 08 - 2001
Minister assures NSC on worn-out tartan
tracks
Ghana may contract foreign coach if need be
- Koufie
Togo to organise friendly in memory of
stadium victims
Minister assures NSC on worn-out tartan
tracks
Accra (Greater Accra) 24 August 2001
Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Youth and Sports has assured the National Sports Council (NSC) that the deplorable state of the tartan tracks at the Accra Sports Stadium would be given the desired attention in the foreseeable future.
At a familiarisation tour of the NSC and facilities under it, the minister said it is not good for the image of the country if athletes continue to train and the NSC goes to countries like Burkina Faso to borrow electronic timing devises before we can get the correct times of our runners.
He tasked the NSC to assume the day-to-day administration of sports in the country so that Ghana is able to compete with the very best in sports globally.
"The era where every body rushes to the Sports Ministry to have all their problems solved is a thing of the past since I intend to let people put in positions do exactly what they are expected do.
"For the NSC to effectively play this role, we would need bold and new initiatives to enable the them to secure sponsorship since government alone cannot support sports anymore, hence the need for the private sector to move forward."
He said there is the need for everyone to know that sports is not Soccer even though it is the passion of the nation, "but our over reliance on it has led us not winning any laurels in the other disciplines."
Papa Ankomah said during his tenure, he intends to make sports work and people who are put in responsible places must deliver so that in the end Ghanaians would not point accusing fingers at the ministry.
"I do not believe in hand picking people into positions for them to hold allegiances to me, but rather I would like a criterion to evolve where only the best are put in places where they can deliver."
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Ghana may contract foreign coach if need be
- Koufie
Accra (Greater Accra) 24 August 2001
The Ghana Football Association said it would not hesitate to employ the services of a foreign coach to beef up the technical bench of the Black Stars for the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Mali in January next year, if need be.
Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association told the GNA in Accra on Thursday that the doors to contract expatriate coaches have not been shut completely but "we must first make use of what we have locally".
He admitted that much as many Ghanaian coaches may be lagging behind top flying international coaches like those from France, there is the need for them to be encouraged to deliver
"For instance, it would be suicidal to change Coach Osam Duodu after losing just one match in five games. But that is not to say that we wouldn't go in for a foreign coach to help the technical team", Mr Koufie told the GNA.
Since taking over the reigns of compatriot Cecil Jones Attuquayefio a couple of months ago, Black Stars helmsman Fred Osam Duodu lost his only game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Port Harcourt last Month in a World Cup Qualifier.
The coach guided the Stars to book their ticket for Mali 2002 after a shock 2-1 win over the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
Mr Koufie said he has outlined a comprehensive coaching programmes for local coaches and said plans are afoot to attach them to top foreign clubs to gain exposure and more knowledge which will be beneficial to the country.
He said the success of a team depends on a variety of factors, adding that coaching is only an aspect.
The GFA boss stated factors such as equipment, good pitches, and welfare of players among others as equally important in achieving results.
In line with his programme, Ben Koufie said he was going to set up a marketing team that would liase with marketing experts to sell GFA activities and earn a percentage of the proceeds.
He noted that even though Abedi Ayew Pele, a management board member has a lot of international connections it would not be appropriate to let him alone take up the responsibility.
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Togo to organise friendly in memory of
stadium victims
Accra (Greater Accra) 24 August 2001
The Togolese Football Federation (TFF) has sent a proposal to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for an international friendly match between their national team and one of the clubs involved in the May 9 stadium disaster.
Mr Reinhard Kossivi, First Deputy General Secretary of the TFF conveyed the proposal to the GFA when he led a delegation from the Togolese soccer governing body to condole with the Ghanaian federation on the loss of lives during the May 9 stadium disaster.
One hundred and twenty-six people died in a stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9 when police fired teargas into the North End Stands to disperse aggrieved fans, who were destroying plastic chairs after Accra Hearts of Oak had beaten Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2-1in a premier league match.
Mr Julius Onyameama, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA in charge of
Finance and Administration told the GNA Sports that proceeds from the match would be channelled to the Stadium Disaster Fund.
He said the TFF is prepared to pick all the bills for a 30-man contingent to Lome for the match.
The Deputy General Secretary said though the Togolese proposed the first week in September the GFA could not give them a guarantee because of the tight schedule of the domestic league.
Mr Onyameama said the GFA told the Mr Kossivi that their proposal would be discussed with the clubs and a decision on the a suitable date would be communicated to them in due course.
He said Mr Kossivi also conveyed a special message from Mr Rock Gnyansingbe, Chairman of the TFF to Mr Ben Koufie GFA chairman, pledging the preparedness of the government and people of Togo to assist the GFA in every manner as soon as they are called upon.
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