There are three interrelating words whenever Christmas pops up – in the form of the po-po-po sound of the fire crackers, signaling that the most eventful month of the year is here – love, excitement and charity tag along nicely whenever Christmas shows its head.
2015 was the maiden edition(2018 is the 4th edition) of the Footie Ghana Party and Football at the Sulele Park, Takoradi.
Kids under 15 years are inspired to up their bid to pursuing football as a career and handed the guidance via the watchful eyes of some former, current football stars and coaches and football administrators from the Western Region.
The 4th edition of the Footie Ghana Party and Football rounded up another successful event on Thursday, December 27 at the famous Sulele Park, where top football stars; former Black Stars player Steven Baidoe, John Antwi, Samuel Abeiku Ainooson, Emmanuel Ocran, Tijani Mohammed… Coach Yusif Basigi of the Black Princesses of Ghana, Coach Johnson Smith of Karela United, Mustapha Fadir(Capito) and many other top officials lit the scene with their presence.
For the purpose of the gathering, Mr. Ernest Osei(Kolibano), the brain behind Footie Ghana, shared the reason for putting together the tournament –
“we[Footie Ghana] are here to motivate the kids, it forms part of the inspiration that kids need to ensure they stay on track. If the kids are happy it pushes them to play football, we are doing this to support children to play football.
With the question of what’s next from the tournament, Kolibano added – “Footie Ghana is here to help out, when we spot someone who’s exceptional, we just have to ensure he studies well, there’s no issue of school fees and hope agents and football clubs do their bit”.
The ceremonial gathering saw seven teams competing for the coveted trophy as well as some individual awards; there were 12 matches played, players of the match from all 12 games were awarded football boots and medals.
Hosts Supreme ACD emerged as winners beating Team Move(from Effia-Kuma) 2-1 on spot kicks after a scoreless draw, West Ridge left the scene as the Fair Play Team of the tournament.
There were set of jerseys, balls and vest for the awardees; Supreme lifted the giant replica of the world cup trophy. The honorees were filled with excitement and left the scene cheered up.
After witnessing the event for the first time, Coach Johnson Smith of Karela United, who was overly impressed with the turnup and how organized the event was shared his opinion and called for community football to be upped through similar initiatives.
“It’s a nice tournament, if we get all our professional footballers or anyone who has played football before doing this, it will help the kids and some might get the chance to also play professionally, I think we should do this and promote the lads now that football is at a halt in the country. We should start developing football from the communities” – Coach Johnson Smith.
Background of Event
Footie Ghana is a charity organization, headed by Mr. Ernest Osei, “Kolibano” a former goalkeeper for Sekondi Hasaacas FC and currently with the British Army.
Team Move FC won the previous three editions and lost the fourth edition to Supreme ACD on spot kicks after a scoreless draw.
All four editions have been held at the Sulele Park, Takoradi.