Prime News Ghana

Sports Ministry to develop grassroots football in the country

By Primenewsghana
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The Minister for Youth and Sports (MoYS), Mr Mustapha Ussif has reiterated the government’s commitment to developing grassroots football in the country.

He noted that grassroots football has proven to be a huge contributing factor to the success chalked in Ghana’s football, hence the need to continually support them.

He made this known when the former Black Stars’ captain, Asamoah Gyan paid a courtesy call to the Ministry of Youth and Sports last Wednesday to discuss the Baby Jet under-16 talent hunt initiative which is scheduled to begin on 6th June, 2023.

He stated that the Talent Hunt initiative would provide a good platform for the youth and called on the youth to take advantage of the opportunity, showcase their talents and become exposed to the international community.

Asamoah Gyan said the competition was one of the various ways to give back to the society for what he achieved during his playing days.

On his part, the manager and the CEO of Baby Jet Foundation, Mr Samuel Anim Addo expressed gratitude to the Minister for accepting to help rejuvenate grassroots football and to help talented footballers across the continent to discover their God given talent.

He noted that apart from the football tournament, there were other thought-provoking activities such as career guidance, monitoring sessions and coaching for the young players that would be on the line up of activities for the event which will be held from the 6th to 13th of June, 2023 at the Cape Coast Stadium.

The tournament is expected to bring together 32 teams from six West African countries to develop their skills and would also include other football legends to mentor them both on and off the pitch.

Mr Samuel Anim Addo said this year is the first time in Baby Jet U-16 African Football tournament’s history that teams have been drawn from Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire to meet 21 Ghanaian teams.

The Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Decentralization, Mr Daniel Botwey who was also present at the meeting used the opportunity to congratulate Asamoah Gyan and his management team for the great idea.

He bemoaned the spate of social vices among the youth and stated that the organization of such events would go a long way to occupy them, thereby helping to reduce negative activities tremendously.