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Mark Hansen, the Manager of Kenpong Football Academy, has stated that Ghanaian leaders should take the initiative to build quality pitches.
He stated that players in this country will struggle to develop if they do not have access to good pitches.
Mr. Mark Hansen made this statement at the Ahenkan Inter Towns Soccer Competition, which was held on 3rd August 2024 at Akyem Batabi in the eastern region.
According to him, before you can develop good and quality players for your country or club, you must first ensure that you have good pitches.
He stated that even in Europe, without good pitches, it is not feasible to develop good players.
He stated that Ghanaian leaders ought to take on the task of building good pitches for the country because that is the only way to make football attractive as well as nurture talent.
He goes on to say that after seven years in Africa, he has noticed that the continent has a lot of talent, particularly among youngsters aged fourteen (14) to sixteen (16).
Mr. Mark Hansen stated that it’s essential to find coaches for this young talent as in football, before you can foster such talent, you must ensure that they have good coaches.
Scouting
He announced that four players had been selected to join their academy, Kenpong Football Academy.
According to him, if these players perform well at their academy and land a good contract in Europe, it brings back development to the country and community from which they are recruited.
He urges leaders to ensure that the nation has good pitches for capturing talent and developing it.
Applauds
The highly regarded Norwegian football manager applauds Mr. Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Chief Executive Officer of Odi Media Network (Ahenkan FM), and his management team on setting up such an event.
Mr. Mark Hansen was accompanied by the academy’s coach, Mr. Patrick.
Dignitaries
The DCE of Asene Manso Akroso District, Honourable Alex Inkoom and Chief of Akyem Batabi, Barima Oppong Kyekyeku II, also graced the tournament with his presence.
Other dignitaries who blessed the occasion with their presence included the former chairman of Birim Central District Football Association, Rev. Emmanuel Obeng Dompreh, Mr. Mark Osei from Oda National Sports Authority, Mr. Okatakyie Afrifah, the communications director of Kotoku Royals FC, and the honourable Assembly Member of Aboabo electoral area, Emmanuel Appiah Kubi, among other prominent personalities.
Ahenkan Inter Towns Soccer Fiesta
The final match of the tournament was staged between Aboabo and Bieni. Both teams had a good run right from the first round of matches and forced their way through to the final where they competed for the ultimate.
The first half of the final match recorded no goal from both sides. Both teams in the final showcased fine and entertaining football skills throughout the time played.
Bieni came into the second half with a different mentality and created quite a number of goal scoring opportunities but failed to convert all. Aboabo on the hand tried to keep their cool and controlled the tempo of the game but yielded no result. It was no surprise to see the match travel into penalty shoot outs after a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. Aboabo won the shoot outs 4-3 over Bieni.
In all, nine (9) community football teams took part in a day event of the maiden edition of the Ahenkan Inter Towns Soccer Fiesta.
Akyem Aboabo community football team emerged as overall winners.
Afterwards the tournament, Mr. Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Chief Executive Officer of Odi Media Network (Ahenkan FM), stated that the event was intended to promote peace and unity among indigenes and residents, especially the youth of the Akyemansa block districts.
He stated that football tournaments help to promote peace and unity among people, especially as the political season approaches.
“We are all aware of the tensions and agitations that sometimes characterizes political seasons – that is why we are leaving no stones unturned to ensure that regardless of our political differences, peace and unity prevails among our people, especially the exuberant youth of the area,” he said.
Adwenpa-Hene Kofi Mensah – Writer
