as Control emerge champs

Dansoman posted the most endowed talent competition in the 2014 series of Tigo Community Soccer after scouts picked as many as 13 players from the tournament over the weekend.

Scouts from the Ghana football premier league and some European clubs shared their impressions about Dansoman saying it has become the best place with football talent in Ghana so far.

John Storn, a Scandinavian scout who has been watching Tigo Community Soccer since it started in March this year said the level of football quality he witnessed at Dansoman means Ghana’s football future is in good hands.

“I saw many players who can go to Europe and make an impression. By my reckoning, at least thirteen players from the competition in Dansoman can be drafted into the junior national teams of Ghana,” said Storn.

The highest number of players scouts have picked in one single event for the Tigo Community Soccer was in Tamale in April where ten players were selected for onward progression into teams around Ghana and Europe.

Meanwhile Control beat Railways, the host community on penalties to win the championship which featured sixteen communities including Gbegbeyise, Mallam, Exhibition, Sahara and Mampoase. Sakaman came in third place while other Communities like Last Stop, Glefe and odorkor were blown away quickly.

Doctors from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital screened fans and players of diseases like diabetes, hypertension and malaria. Dr. Owusu of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who anchored the screening said “We were surprised that people were so interested in the lifestyle diseases. Around 700 people showed up for screening. I think this is a good initiative by Tigo to get the residents of all the areas that Community Soccer is held to take a keen interest in their health. I was in Bukom and here in Dansoman and people are taking this health initiative very seriously.”

Now Tigo Community Soccer heads to Ashaiman in Tema where sixteen communities and two hundred and forty players have been penned down to compete in Ghana’s biggest and most participatory football event.

The Ashaiman event will involve Middle East, Lebanon, Valco Flat, Christian Village, and Zongo Laka. Other Communities include Jericho, Official Town, Adakodzi, Roman Down, Michel Camp and Low Cost Estates. Tema New Town, Communities 1, 3 and 4 as well as Nii Amui will all converge on the Ashaiman Mandela Park for the two day community engagement event.

“We have a responsibility to take Tigo Community Soccer to the grassroots where footballers can defend their communities and emerge as heroes like what happens at the World Cup,” said Nana Darkwa, the National Coordinator of Tigo Community Soccer.

“The grass roots is where heroes are born and so these young players get that opportunity to become defenders of the communities. They learn to keep their head even under severe pressure like all these national footballers at the World Cup and in the end victory is celebrated responsibly and respect is earned just like the World Cup,” Nan Darkwa added.

He added: “Ashiaman is a great place for football and we aim to also engage the community responsibly for their health.”