George Afriyie, a former Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidential candidate has questioned the implementation of Kurt Okraku’s 2019 manifesto promises on Colts football.
Speaking to Sporty FM, Afriyie acknowledged that Okraku’s GameChanger manifesto contained good ideas but questioned how many had been delivered.
“In his own manifesto, he has some fine ideas. In Kurt's own manifesto, he has some fine ideas,” Afriyie said.
He specifically questioned the promise to establish game centres with improved pitches and provide 50 footballs each season to grassroots clubs.
“So, how many game centres has Kurt created? So the answer to your question lies here,” he added.
Afriyie also questioned the number of pitches developed under Okraku while supporting plans to make pitches built by state institutions available for Colts football.
“Brilliant idea, because I said it here. Remember when I said here, that the GFA should be able to convince those institutions to take and manage it on their behalf,” Afriyie said.
However, he challenged Okraku to provide answers on the infrastructure promises in his manifesto.
“But I'm asking Kurt, in seven years, how many pitches have you built? For the centres that you talk about in your manifesto, Colts football, how many have you built?” he asked.
Afriyie also questioned the implementation of a plan for every Ghana Premier League club to affiliate with a Colts club and help develop young players.
“When was the last time you went to see Hearts of Oak or Kotoko having a Colts Club, where it is Kotoko's duty to develop that Colts Club, nurture them? Is it being done? The answer is no,” he said.
The GFA has reported investments in Colts football, including an annual US$100,000 allocation for footballs and GHS1.8m spent over two seasons to train 600 Colts coaches.
By: Pascal Amoah
