The visiting Equatorial Guinean Secretary (minister) of State for Youth and Sports, Mr. Ruslan Oblang Nsue today toured the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region.
This is a follow up to an agreement reached last year between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea for the usage of the Centre by the latter’s national team in preparation of the 2012 African Cup of Nation to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
The tour afforded the minister, first hand information on the state of the facility and its suitability for their national team, who would co-host of the prestigious continental tournament in January 2012.
Mr. Ruslan Oblang Nsue, who was accompanied by Ghana’s former Sports Minister, Hon. Akua Sena Densua, toured the players’ rooms, the football field, the ultra modern kitchen and dining hall where refurbishment of the players’ rooms and other fixtures are ongoing.
Interacting with the delegation, Hon. Sena Densua, said in November 2010, she signed a cooperation agreement on behalf Ghana with Equatorial Guinea in the area of sports. She said the agreement emphasized two main areas, which are the usage of Ghana’s facility by the national team of Equatorial Guinea in preparation for the CAN 2012 and technical support for the development of sports and youth programmes in Equatorial Guinea.
The former sports minister who is currently Minister for Tourism said during their courtesy call on President John Mills, he urged the GFA and other stakeholders to assist the Equatorial Guinea to develop their sports and youth programmes.
Mr. Ruslan Oblang Nsue, after the tour, expressed satisfaction with the facilities available at the centre and hoped when work is complete; it will meet the level required by his country. He however stated that the usage of the facility is the prerogative of the coach of the national team after he is satisfied with facilities.
Emmanuel Gyimah, Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), who welcomed the delegation, said the centre is renovating and upgrading facilities at the centre in anticipation of the arrival of the Equatorial Guinea National team. He gave the assurance that the centre will be ready before the team arrives.
The Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram is collaboration between FIFA and the Ghana Football Authority (GFA)
Source: ISD (Elorm Ametepe)