Accra, Dec 24, GNA - The Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee of the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup Nations, Magnus Rex Danquah has rued the dire absence of any effort to improve spectatoring at league competitions by football administrators at both the national and club levels in Africa.

He said even though countries like Ghana and Nigeria have some real growth and development over the past 50 years, there have not been any corresponding real benefits of developing it into an emerging industry.

Rex Danquah said this in a keynote address as the Guest Speaker at the 15th Anniversary Celebration Lectures and Awards Night of the Sporting Champion Weekly of Nigeria at Victoria Island, Lagos at the weekend.

His speech, on the topic "Soccer in Africa: Giving it a Business Face, was delivered for him by Nana Adwoa Rex-Danquah, General Manager of RICS Consult who also collected an award on his behalf.

The Operating Officer expressed disappointment with the inability of clubs or associations to consciously grow and develop a support base that will turn spectators into a loyal consumer base as a brand or product.

Rex Danquah was among 18 other distinguished personalities who received meritorious awards in several categories lined up to honour past and present heroes, corporate bodies, clubs administrators and sports philanthropists, including State Governors.

The Chief Operating Officer said he is in total support of the two year cycle of the Africa Cup of Nations, saying it provides opportunity for African nations to grow the stock of facilities to enhance the possibilities for people to develop their God-given talents and their potential to become stars.

He also commended the decision of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to organize the Nations Cup purposely for players on the continent so as "not to expose ourselves to the controversy that re-emerges every two years in relation to African footballers in Europe during the Nations Cup."

On Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Rex Danquah said there is the need for the Government to establish a special purpose company with the sole aim of bidding for all kinds of international events to justify the huge investments made in the construction of the various stadiums.

Rex Danquah said governments' must also give football a business face in order to make use of the possibilities that exist for the specialized areas that require the injection of professional services and consultancies.

"These include fundraising, sponsorship, marketing, public relations, financial and insurance services, event management and sports legal services, all of which can be nurtured into becoming like any other industry or business entity".