[ 2014-10-04 ]

Grassroots need decisive action - Nyantakyi
President of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi
Nyantakyi has called for urgent and decisive
action from the State to develop grassroots
football.

Speaking for the third consecutive day on Thursday
at the Commission of Inquiry into Ghana's exit
from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the GFA
President called for action to improve the game.

With a huge developmental gap at the grassroots
yet to be filled, Nyantakyi demanded a new
approach, explaining that the development of
coaches at the grassroots is as important as the
provision of basic equipment and infrastructure.

"Coaching is a profession like accountancy, law
and medicine so it is important to equip these
people with the relevant courses," the GFA
President said as he rounded up his three-days of
testimony.

"The GFA has since 2006 developed over 3000
coaches free of charge. We have also organized
license B and A courses for top flight coaches who
can afford.

"We need to develop our coaches, especially those
at the grassroots so that they can teach the kids
basic rudiments in football."

The huge financial commitments of the GFA makes it
difficult to provide adequate support at the
grassroots, which has been spearheaded by the
selfless contributions of individuals.

"There are many committed people at the local
levels who are engaged in grassroot football. Some
of these people sell their properties to finance
the operations of colts football. When you go to
Tamale, there are people who sell their guinea
fowls to finance colts football and when you go to
Wa, people sell bricks to finance colts football.
I think we need to support all these people,"
Nyantakyi said.

"What they need are basic things; just the basic
tools for the trade like footballs, football boots
and kits as well as something small for them to
pay transportation cost to organize and play
football.

"The GFA is financially constrained to provide
certain infrastructure across the country but we
have been helping with the provision of equipment
such as football and football boots through our
kit sponsors, Puma."

Source - Ghana FA

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