Compassion International launches Soccer Festival
Compassion International Ghana (CIG), a child support network has launched a five-day National Soccer Festival aimed at unearthing talents for the junior national teams .
The programme, which was held at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra yesterday, is slated to end on Friday August 30. It will feature a total of nine teams in the U-15 category, and 14 teams in the U-12 category drawn from CIG sponsored projects across five regions in Ghana. The regions are the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta and Ashanti.
According to Mr Padmore Baafour Agyapong, the Country Director of CIG, besides identifying brilliant talents for the nation, the soccer festival was also geared towards encouraging kids to adopt healthy lifestyles.
“This tournament is part of the activities we have lined up to mark our 10th anniversary which comes to a climax in July 2015. It is my fervent hope that the number of scouts we have invited here will spot and nurture many talents for them to have prosperous careers in football. This will enable them to serve Ghana by representing the nation in international soccer tournaments in the future.”, Mr Agyepong noted in an interview with Daily Graphic
He said eventual winners in the U-12 and U-15 categories would be presented with medals and trophies after the finals on Friday.
Former national star, Frimpong Manso, who was the guest of honour, said he was looking forward to supporting the programme in a meaningful manner.
He expressed the hope that the tournament would yield fruitful results.
“Football gave me an honourable life, and I am hopeful that some of these youngsters will be able to catch the eyes of the scouts,” he noted.