STARTING NOVEMBER 25, 2005, a number of busy soccer programmes would tee off in the country, before the CAN 2006 starts, in Egypt, on January 20.

Hearts of Oak raises the curtain with its Delegates Congress, this Saturday, at the Royal House Chapel, in Accra, after which, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) would hold its extraordinary congress, on December 1.

The Phobians? congress, originally scheduled to be held every four years, has been postponed for over a decade now, as a result of court wranglings. Saturday?s event will be used to elect new directors for the club, as well as a new management team.

Already, the incumbent board chairman of the club, Mr. Ato Ahwoi, has declared his intentions to give way for new a one, to come on board.

Mr. Ahoi has occupied the position for the past 12 years. A member of the Hearts board, Mr. Herbert Mensah, is touted to compete alongside other Hearts members, for the board chairmanship position, come Saturday.

Just after the Phobians? congress, the FA would, on Thursday, December 1, hold its Extraordinary Congress, at the secretariat of the Ghana League Club?s Associations (GHALCA).

Among issues to be discussed at the FA congress, would be the Federation of International Football (FIFA)?s response to the GFA?s proposed draft. A proposed timetable for the implementation of the new FA status and the modalities for Regional Football elections, are also, to be discussed at the congress.

In addition, the national planning committee for the President?s memory lane sports fiesta would be having talks with 30 soccer clubs, on Thursday, December 1, at the Resource Centre of the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, in Accra.

The meeting aims at affording the committee the ample opportunity to interact with the clubs? representatives, during which, the fiesta, slated for December 18, would be discussed.

Among the clubs invited are Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Great Olympics, Ebusua Dwarfs, Conerstone, Vipers, BA United, Eleven Wise, Bofoakwa Tano, All Blacks, Fankobaah, RTU, Savanna Stars, Mighty Eagles, Kpando Mulpo, as well as Hasaacas.

The rest are Ashantigold, Wa United, Nanumbo United, Catholic Stars, Upper Stars, Mine Stars, Real Tarkwa United, Adansiman, Berekum Arsenal, Hammers, Susubiribi, Koforidua Rovers, Okwawu United, and Maxbees, as well. During the fiesta itself, healthy rivalry of legendary clubs would be re-visited, at the various match venues, in the country.

The match fixtures are expected to serve as beacons for ethics, fair-play, and national integration, to the young clubs, and draw the curtains down on the nation?s sporting calendar, for this year.

Subsequently, the 2005 gt Premiership champion, Asante Kotoko, would also unveil its new chief executive officer (CEO), who would succeed the immediate past CEO, Major (rtd) Lawrence Yaw Sampene Larson.

Information gathered by Guide Sports indicates that, the Kotoko board is working tirelessly to appoint a loyal member of the club?s fraternity. Messrs George Amoako, Kojo Bonsu, Sylvester Asare Owusu, and Jerry Asare, as well, have applied for the enviable post, but the board is still scrutinising the capabilities of the noted members, insisting it would give the nod to a loyal Kotoko member, who has the requisite professional insight.

Significantly, the two Asares, who happen to be the populous Kotoko members in the race, are leading the pack, as they perch in a close contest for the vacant CEO post.

On December 9, Black Stars? coach, Ratomir Dujkovic, FA general secretary, Mr. Kofi Nsiah, as well as acting FA chairman, Mr. Kwasi Nyantakyi, would attend the World Cup Draw event, where the Stars? group counterparts would be known. Just after the World Cup event, the Stars would get into serious training business, to hone their rough edges, ahead of the CAN 2006 Championship.