In its quest to strengthen the implementation of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Women’s Football Strategy, the Women’s Football Development desk at the GFA Technical Directorate has collaborated with the Central Regional Football Association (CRFA) to engage some Basic Schools in the Region.
CRFA Chairman, Robert Otieku Duncan, and Head of Women’s Football Development, Jennifer Amankwa Sarpong visited and engaged with twenty (20) Basic schools representing the Seven Circuits in the Ajumako district during a Sports Festival held at the University of Education, Ajumako Campus Park.
Dignitaries present for the festival included Madam Sabina Aba Wilson - District Director of Education, Mr. Edward Mensah, Headteachers and Headmistresses as well as teachers from all representing schools.
In all, seven circuits, including the Bisease, Ajumako, Breman Essiam, Enyan, Ochiso, Abaasa and Ampia in the Ajumako District were heavily represented by their Basic Schools and also presented girls U12 teams to participate in the festival tournament.
The first phase of the program was held at the Methodist Church Auditorium in honor of the participating Methodist Schools in the Ajumako District who were celebrating their Methodist week.
In addressing the schools, CRFA Chairman, Robert Otieku Duncan hammered on the need to embrace Women’s Football development at the grassroots level as it is the bedrock of developing talents for the future while applauding the efforts of the various schools for putting together the various youth teams to participate in the sports festival.
Head of Women’s Football Development, Jennifer Amankwa Sarpong, interacted with the young girls by explaining the key pillars of the Football for Girls project while inspiring them to travel the path of becoming future football stars.
For the second phase of the program, she explained into detail the basic concept of the Women's Football Strategy, with emphasis on Grassroots Football development, to the teaching staff.
She also included the "Football 4 Girls" Project which is open to girls in Basic School within the age bracket of 5-12 years, providing an avenue for them to play football during their physical education sessions.
She also highlighted the GFA’s core aim of ensuring there is a level playing field for girls in Basic Schools across the length and breadth of the country.
This, Jennifer Amankwa Sarpong said, will help in discovering and harnessing hidden talents in basic Schools for grooming and development.
The opportunity was also used to brief all participating schools on the GFA Grassroot Community project which is a key part of the Women’s Football strategy. Under this project, the GFA intends to engage the various communities via Festivals, schools fun games, and sports festivals so as to increase awareness on the involvement of girls in football at the Grassroots level while erasing the misconceptions surrounding girls playing football.
The Grassroot Community project will be used as an avenue for celebrating the communities as well as showing the importance of giving the girl child the opportunity to engage in football activities while allowing them to gain confidence and some life skills.
Souvenirs were presented to major stakeholders including Girls who participated, the District Director, Headmasters, Headmistresses and teachers.