The presentation valued at GH¢15,000, are is made up of an industrial mower, a push-cart mower, three table tennis playing sets and other games such as scrabble, ludo, draught, oware and monopoly.
While the mowers are to help keep the playing fields in good condition for training for particularly, the national teams who camp there, the games are also to provide sources of recreation for the teams.
Nanabanyin Eyison, the vice-chairman of the Princesses management committee said, though the idea originated from the former chairman, the late Hon Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, members were encouraged to carry it out in his memory.
“We were also concerned by the fact that the Centre always had to rely on hired mowers to get the fields in good shape. We hope this token presentation will resolve that problem.”
Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, who received the items, said it was the first of its kind and commended the Princesses’ management committee for their foresight.
He said the gesture will serve as a challenge to others to also contribute, no matter how small, to help raise the standards at the centre.
Ghana's football has put an end to the payment of winning bonuses to all national teams in international competitions.Instead qualification bonuses will be paid.
SOUTH AFRICA
Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has called up Durban Ladies striker Silindile Ngubane and High Performance Centre (Tshwane) goalkeeper Katlego Moletsane to the national senior women’s team that will do duty at the 8 th CAF African Women Championship 2012 in Equatorial Guinea from October 28 to November 11.
Ngubane, who found the back of the net on 11 occasion for Durban Ladies at the Sasol League National Championships held in Umlazi, near Durban in July, and goalkeeper Moletsane – back-up for regular No 1 Thoko Mndaweni and young Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Sasol League Gauteng) goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, are a part of the 21 names announced by the coach at Safa House, Nasrec on Tuesday, 9 October 2012.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group A and will face hosts Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on October 28, Senegal in Malabo on October 31, and will travel to the island city of Bata for their encounter with DR Congo on November 3.
A good run of form will see the South Africans play in the semi-finals in either Malabo or Bata on November 7, with the 3 rd/4 th place playoff and the title decider both scheduled for Malabo on November 11.
By November 11, Banyana Banyana could well have two new centurions in their midst, with inspirational midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni going to Equatorial Guinea on 96 caps and striker Portia Modise on 95 caps (having scored 72 goals for her country).
Experienced University of Johannesburg Ladies (Sasol League Gauteng) midfielder Yola Jafta returns to the Banyana Banyana team after missing the London Olympics due to injury.
“Banyana Banyana finished third at the CAF African Women Championship held in Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg two years ago, and the ladies are determined to finish 2012 on a high note after having represented Africa at the Olympic Games in London,” said coach Mkhonza.
“Thanks to Safa and our team sponsor Sasol, we have been able to allow the players to be put through their paces in national training camps in Johannesburg this month, before we head off to prepare the team in hot climatic conditions in Yaoundé, Cameroon from October 17 to 25.”
Thereafter, the national team will depart Cameroon for Malabo to conclude their final preparations for the African women’s football showpiece event.
In congratulating the Banyana Banyana players on their selection, Safa CEO Robin Petersen said: “The selection of Silindile Ngubane to the Banyana Banyana team is a sign of the importance of the Sasol League and the Sasol League National Championships as a feeder of talent to the national side, and I would like to welcome her, as well as goalkeeper Katlego Moletsane to the national team.”
“May Banyana Banyana bring further pride to our football-crazy country as they look improve on their 2 nd place position they achieved in Equatorial Guinea, 4 years ago by winning the tournament and bettering their both their CAF and FIFA rankings. Banyana Banyana are currently ranked 56 th in the world and 4 th in Africa.
NAMIBIA
Jacqueline Shipanga reckons Namibia should be proud of her women football achievements considering limited resources.
Shipanga who is in Azerbaijan, where she is part of the Technical Study Group of the 2012 FIFA under-17 Women World Cup, said the Namibia have done a lot in football advancement despite its limited budgets and geographic location.
“The NFA’s development programmes come close to none in Africa and for a small country with limited resources we have achieved a lot, I am sure that in the next months and years closer to 2014 we will witness a major shift in terms of financial support towards the women’s game and NFA”, wrote Shipanga in an email.
She added that government support has always been the cornerstone of this development.
“ Government should really be commended for committing to finance several major international competitions 2006, Zone 6 games, 2007/2012 Ball games, 2010 Winter Games 2012 CUCSA games and now 2014 AWC (African Women
Championship) Namibia will make history for only being the second country in SADC to host this event after Nigeria, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea.”
As head of Women Football at the NFA Shipanga called on the Namibia women players to embrace the opportunity that is on the horizon and make Namibia and themselves proud when the event takes place in 2014.
“We will not make excuses about our readiness, but I think the players does not yet realize the amazing opportunity they have ahead of them in terms of being scouted by the best agents in the world. A lot of players playing in Europe today have been identified at these competitions. We currently have three players playing in Germany, yes it may not be in the top league but the regular training and competitions they engage in are crucial for the their own experience and development” noted Shipanga.
She specifically thanked the NFA leadership for their bold decision on women football, development: “I have yet met a National Football Association Executive that commits itself to development programmes of the Women’s game the way that the John Muinjo led executive has done, Now we should only get football into schools starting at primary schools”.
She also touched on the importance of Psychical Education: “ In fact since I am a sports fanatic I will not only advocate the development of football but advocate the re-introduction of physical education in schools both in primary and secondary schools.
“This will be the key to Namibia’s sporting success. We train teachers at universities and colleges for to become physical education teachers and yet the most important puzzle is missing our kids are playing play station, video games, they are obese, lack self confidence, leads sedentary lifestyles and on top of it all are performing below par academically too so the excuse that sports take too much time of school work is now regarded as the biggest excuse there is almost two people in every household that are obese and this can be reversed. If only our policy makers can realise this sooner than later” Shipanga explained.
IVORY COAST
The Ivorian and their counterpart from Senegal are both making their first appearance at the AWC.
For the continental competition, the Teranga Lionesses are in Group A alongside hosts, Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo and South Africa. Pool B hast Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Ives TIEMELE
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