Abedi advocates increased sponsorship, more academies for the development of Ghana’s football

By Ebenezer Hanson

Three times African Footballer of the Year, Abedi Ayew Pele, has advocated increased sponsorship and more football academies for the development of football in the country.

He observes that the lack of sponsorship limits the development of the immense talents in the country which if addressed could pave the way for bigger things, and the sky will be the limit.

“Because of our financial bankruptcy we cannot do what we want and this is a great obstacle to the development of the immense football talents we have in the country.”

Abedi made these submissions when he responding to a question at a news conference organised by Stanbic Bank following his completion of a seven-nation tour of some African countries to showcase the trophy and create awareness for the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations. The questioner had asked him what could be done to improve the development football in the country.

The tour, which was sponsored by Stanbic Bank, took him to Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.

He said although the tour was challenging it was indeed fulfilling in that wherever they went the reception was overwhelming and the people were warm towards them.

“In Uganda it was a thrilling moment because after 1978 when the country played in the nations cup finals they have not participated in the tournament. Namibia is not known as a football country but they assured us that they are coming to Ghana to spoil our soup,” he recalls.

Abedi discloses that as Stanbic Bank’s Ambassador for the African Trophy Tour, he is the happiest and honoured person on the continent, and most grateful for the unflinching support he has had from other members of the entourage and Management of Stanbic Bank. He said his vision for Ghana is to assist in whatever way for the Black Stars to qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa.

“With a few exceptions, any time the world Cup has been organized, a country from the continent which hosts it wins. It follows logically that an African country could win the world 2010 World Cup and Ghana could not be ruled out,” he predicted.

He prayed that the 26th African Cup of Nations would be devoid of crime and violence for it be successful “and that case Africa becomes the winner of the tournament.”

Reacting to the question as to why the tour was taken to some countries although, they are not participating in the tournament, Mr. Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, said the aim of the tour was to create awareness of the tournament and to create that feeling of strong bonds among Africans.

Stanbic Bank in 2006 injected 2.1 euros into African football for the financing of activities including the African Cup of Nations and CAF Cup. It is 22 customers from across its operations in 18 African countries to the Ghana 2008. According to Mr. Mawuko K. Afadzinu, Head of Marketing and Public Affairs of Stanbic Bank, “in Ghana Stanbic Bank is sponsoring over 1000 customers”.