Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has eulogized former Captain of the Black Stars of Ghana, Asamoah Gyan, promising to stand 'shoulder-to- shoulder with the legendary footballer ahead of the maiden edition of the All Regional Games.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the media launch of the innovative sports project held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, President Okraku highlighted the GFA's commitment to offering technical support to the organisers of the multi-disciplinary competition.
The initiative, which is the brainchild of Asamoah Gyan, will see each region holding trial competitions and identifying their top sportsmen and women in June, in preparation for national championships in November, 2024.
The organisers will also embark on a regional tour from April 16 to create awareness ahead of the All Regional Games.
The much-anticipated competition will feature nine disciplines including Football, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Arm-wrestling, Athletics Boxing, Tennis, Basketball, E-sports.
President Okraku, who touted the distinguished career of the iconic former Black Stars captain, has offered the Association's unflinching support to the organisers of the All Regional Games.
"I am happy for the invitation to be part of this historic event. But most importantly, I am very happy to get the chance to speak about one special person I've known in our times - the Baby Jet, Asamoah Gyan," President Okraku said amidst applause
"The man who has brought us here (Asamoah Gyan) is a gift to sports in our dear country. Asamoah distinguished himself as one of our very best footballers. He chalked all the successes one can think about in football. He did not only chalk successes, he went beyond that to invest in other sporting disciplines including but not limited to football and boxing. I am speaking about what I know! What I do not know about I daresay, are even more," the GFA boss went on to say.
In a philosophical tone, President Kurt Okraku said, "Today, he (Asamoah) has decided again to give back to the world. From humble beginnings we look forward beyond the happenings of today."
"Athletes and Sportsmen are being given the platform to showcase their talents: These sportsmen and athletes will grow from this platform to become the 'Tornados (Stephen Appiah) and the Baby Jets one day," Mr. Okraku stated prophetically.
President Kurt Okraku went on to enthusiastically add; "These talents from the platforms that are being offered today via the All Regional Games, will grow up and represent Ghana in international meets. Some will grow up and compete for stellar clubs beyond the shores of Ghana. Some may end up playing for other countries. This is what I mean by the 'Baby Jet' (Asamoah Gyan) giving back, not only to Ghana, but to the world.
The All Regional Games fit into the GFA's two key areas of development and growth.
Drawing similarities between the All Regional Games and the focus areas of the Ghana Football Association, the GFA President stated that, "The idea of the All Regional Games fits into two key areas of our current football ecosystem. Fixing the fundamentals and catching the talents young. In organizing these Games, Asamoah Gyan and his team are helping the country in fixing the fundamentals."
"Like I said, they are also offering the opportunity for young talents who will not normally be found from the woods of Ghana, the opportunity to be found via this platform called the All Regional Games.
"The Football Association will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, Asamoah Gyan. You are a proud son of our industry. We will give this product and this project all the support you undoubtedly deserve, especially with our "Catch Them Young Referees" primed to be part of this awesome initiative," President Okraku emphasized.
In encouraging broad participation in the event, Kurt Okraku said that "the All Regional Games should be our project. We should not leave it in the hands of only a few". Ideas, the GFA President said, may normally come from one man, but the execution of the ideas must come from a group of people with the right levels of passion and dedication."
The GFA President concluded by thanking the sporting legends who graced the occasion and making a passionate appeal to the media fraternity to embrace the All Regional Games and to, with love, passion and undiluted support, make a telling contribution to the growth of Sports in Ghana.
GFA Communications