Mr. Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has called on Ghanaians to fully support the Black Stars’ bid to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
He said that the Black Stars squad needed the support of all Ghanaians right now, not the daily criticism that team members receive.
Speaking to Times Sports yesterday, Mr. Okraku acknowledged that the Black Stars’ recent performance has been poor, but he claimed that this was just the irrational pattern that football occasionally follows.
“Football does not always follow the sequence we want. Sometimes, we want results to go in a certain way but if it goes the other way, then coaches and players are blamed.”
He claimed that some of the coach’s and the players’ criticisms were unjust, but that as players and stakeholders, they were aware of the challenges these outcomes entail.
“I can tell you our coach (Otto Addo) and his men are extremely committed to this course. It is same with the players. So is every member of the FA. The Fans must also play their key role to ensure that together, we gain qualification,” he said.
Mr. Okraku stated that the FA was dedicated to provide the Black Stars with the necessary resources, including decent housing, playing fields, and bonuses, in order for them to earn a spot in the World Cup.
at addition to discussing a wide range of topics pertaining to the growth of Ghanaian football, he stated that the FA’s top priority was the construction of the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Football technical center at Prampram.
Consequently, it has started several renovations to make the facility livable for those who attend the several training programs and camp with the national teams.
According to him, the FA was looking forward to the World Cup Legacy project being finished, which would be funded by Ghana’s World Cup participation earnings.
Following a violent incident at Nsoatre during Asante Kotoko’s visit as guests of Nsoatreman FC, the Ghana Premier League (GPL) was put on hold. Mr. Okraku announced that the clubs were prepared and had accepted the decision to resume play.
“Football is a passion in this country and this short break period did not go down well with people. As stakeholders, we need to ensure that we give the fans what they want but also, we must make the environment safe for everybody,” he mentioned.
He clarified that the lack of certain facilities, particularly safe areas where team buses may stop so that players can disembark, was the reason why the Legon and Baba Yara Sports stadiums, among others, were rejected for Premier League play.
According to Mr. Okraku, the FA has no objections to the plans of Mr. Kofi Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation, to use the National Sports Authority (NSA) to coordinate national team preparations because the NSA continues to be a significant player in the game’s evolution.
“I want Ghanaians to understand that the GFA is one of the many other sports federations; law abiding and has over the years operate by the rules that controls the sector,” he noted
“We endorse plans and initiatives from the sports ministry. NSA is a major key stakeholder in our game. We are not against any directive set to enhance the beauty of the game,” he added.
Source: newsthemegh.com