Tumu: Mr. Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has embarked on a working visit to the Sissala East Municipality, aiming to bolster grassroots football development in the Upper West Region. Addressing various stakeholders including football enthusiasts, traditional leaders, and sports stakeholders, Mr. Simeon-Okraku highlighted the GFA's commitment to reviving Ghanaian football following the 2019 crisis that halted the sport.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Simeon-Okraku emphasized that the current leadership assumed office during a challenging period for Ghana football. He remarked, "When we took over in 2019, football had suffered and had virtually stopped. Our responsibility was to revive football in this country, and we could only do that by working with club owners, players, referees, investors, chiefs, and politicians." The turnout at the Tumu event signaled a renewed passion for football, indicating progress in revitalizing the sport.
Mr. Okraku discussed several initiatives by the Football Association, such as the U-15 Girls League across all regions, increased investment in juvenile competitions, and a focus on refereeing and grassroots development. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly the lack of quality playing pitches in the Region. "As I drove through the region, I couldn't find a good FIFA-standard pitch. That tells us clearly that we still have a lot to do in fixing the fundamentals," he noted, assuring collaboration with the government and partners to address infrastructure gaps.
Mr. Bening Adamu Yakubu, the Sissala East Municipal Chief Executive, appealed for support from the GFA President and corporate entities to adopt local teams. He stated, "We are appealing to you to help us adopt teams in this area so that football can grow. With the right support, the talent here can be nurtured to serve both the region and the nation."
During his visit, Mr. Okraku also paid a courtesy call on the Tumu Traditional Council, where prayers were offered for Ghana's national teams ahead of major international assignments, including the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers. Alhaji Ahmed Baba Pele, the Municipal Sports Unit Chairman, urged the GFA President to focus on the Sissala area, recognizing its potential in football talent. The Chief of Chinchang, Kuoro Ahmed Hor, echoed the need for support, requesting modern facilities to host major matches.