Soccer News of Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Source: sportscrusader.com

AFCON 2015: Karl Tuffour wades into controversy

Ace Sports Journalist Karl Tuffour has waded into the controversy surrounding the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to decline the request by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to host the event.

Speaking in an interview with Happy FM in Accra, Tuffour said, Ghana was not ready for such a competition taking into consideration the serious economic conditions in the country, coupled with the Ebola crisis.

According to Tuffour, the country was struggling with several economic challenges, culminating into the energy crisis as well as the ebola factor, which he said, will be dangerous to the health of citizens hence the need to reject the request from CAF.

He said the dilapidating nature of the Accra Sports Stadium and other facilities even makes it difficult for Ghana to consider hosting the competition.

Tuffour, called on CAF to postpone the event to enable the Ebola crisis to subside adding that any attempt to organize the competition, may put people into great danger.

The ace journalist suggested that CAF should consider hosting the event every four years to create the need anxiety and competitiveness.

The 2015 Afcon, has been a major subject of controversy in recent times following the decision of original host Morocco to withdraw its hosting right should CAF refuse to postpone the event.

Ghana is considered as one of the countries capable of taking over from Morocco and has been alerted by CAF to be on stand-bye.

This has so far attracted negative public outcry over the event, with stakeholders such as the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Noguchi Institute kicking against it.