Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah, the Chairman of the GFA Beach Soccer Committee, has indicated that CalBank is the cornerstone behind the beach sports’ survival and continuation over the last decade.
The chairman mentioned that Ghana Beach Sports had been beset by several difficulties and that it would have halted operations if it hadn’t been for Calbank’s intervention.
Mr. Ampofo-Ankrah expressed these remarks at the Emancipation Beach Resort in Keta, where he spoke to a wide range of dignitaries, including chiefs, tourism agents, corporate sponsors, as well as other interested stakeholders.
“For me, our adoption by the Ghana Football Association is the best thing for the game and its future. However, it’s important that we also remember our humble beginnings and give credit where it is due. Honestly, we all know that without Calbank, Ghana Beach Soccer would have been dead and buried years ago as if the sport never existed”.
Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah
Gratitude to Calbank
Mr. Ampofo-Ankrah commended Calbank for ensuring that the Beach sport’s standards are upheld, despite the fact that the sports at the time lacked high recognition and standards it is currently having.
“Calbank initiated the evolution from Mr. Frank Adu to the current Managing Director, Mr. Philip Owiredu, with branding, marketing, corporate ethics, and the beach soccer sanitation project. They made sure Beach soccer became aligned with their high professional standards. It was not easy because we were not at that level at all.”
Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah
According to the chairman, Calbank’s unwavering faith in them, regardless of their circumstances, motivates them to do more and put in more effort and dedication to meet the targets they have set for the sport.
“Yet, the strong belief in the vision is a collective power that has sustained and fed our faith, especially in the toughest seasons, thanks to Calbank. We believe that history is on our side and there will be a revival with the GFA’s support but we must be patient”
Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah
Meanwhile, Mr. Ampofo-Ankrah chastised Ghanaian media outlets for failing to adequately report Calbank stories on their platforms. He highlighted that Calbank’s remarkable work merits public attention, and urged Ghana’s media platforms, both print and media, to give the bank justice.
During the event, the chairman thanked the local leaders and elders of Keta, led by Chief Togbi James Ocloo IV, as well as Togbi Gatsiko, chief of Abutiakope, and Mr. Daniel Agbobah, the chairman of the regional Football Association.
“Without your support and genuine desire to see the progress of the young people through sports, you would not have backed this discipline all these years. We will not fail nor disappoint your faith in us.”
Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah
The Chairman further said that media coverage is now the final piece of the puzzle for the sport and that they are working hard with iMax Media to find ways to provide the sport to people across the sixteen regions in the country.
“Considering the devastating impact of the Covid-19, I can confidently say that today, Beach Soccer is even stronger than it has ever been. Our structures are being strengthened with the collaboration, guidance and support of this new FA and our long-standing tradition with Ghana’s most successful indigenous financial institution.”
Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah
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