New football academy for Dodowa

A piece of land at Ayikai Doblon, near Dodowa, in the Greater Accra Region, has been earmarked for the construction of a model football academy.

The move is being engineered by Africa Dynamics Sports Consult, an NGO involved in sports development, in partnership with two spanish-based firms — ZEMAC International and FEVEC Construction.

The two partners paid a working visit to the sports minister, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, at his office in Accra last Wednesday.

Francis Adjetey Sowah, Executive Director of Africa Dynamics, told the minister that plans were advanced to begin construction at the site.

“The academy will unearth talents, build their capacity and groom them for future prospects,” Mr Adjetey Sowah told the minister.

The president of FEVEC Architecture and Construction, Rafael de le Cuadra, explained to the minister that Spanish involvement in the establishment of the academy in Ghana was linked to Spain’s recent success in world football and Ghana’s reputation as a hub of football talent.

According to him, Spain had been a success story in football in the past few years, having won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

“We, therefore, believe that we can export our football knowledge to other countries, including Ghana,” he said.

He appealed for the ministry’s support to make the academy a reality.

“We know Ghanaians love football, and this academy will entrench this position further,” he stated.

The minister assured them of his support, and pledged to do all within his power to make the academy come into reality.

“Ghana has a lot of football talent to be trained and groomed for the international market,” he noted.

He said the academy would open up a rare opportunity for the youth of Dodowa and surrounding areas.

By Kwame Larweh