International sports superstar Marcel Desailly has urged Ghanaian parents to be support their children to participate in sporting activities to keep them fit, intelligent, healthy and friendly.

Speaking to yours truly at his soon to be fully opened state-of-the-art sports complex near the A & C Shopping Mall at East Legon in Accra, Desailly noted that Ghana is blessed with many sports talents, but they do not have the necessary facilities and coaches to groom and train them to become super stars or world class performers and champions.

The ultra- modern facility named LIZZY SPORTS COMPLEX after his mum who took him to France at a tender age for becoming a soccer star amid playing for the France national team that beat Brazil 3-0 to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup as well as many other trophies including the 2000 European Cup, is a place where he wants to train people who are willing to become like him.

According to the famous former AC Milan and Chelsea defender, most African sportsmen and women are not disciplined and lack the character which the Europeans and Americans have to succeed.

He said the Lizzy Sports Complex and San Siro Estates have been built to support Ghanaians and other nationals who want first class coaching for their kids and camping place with all the necessary equipments before they go for some competitions.

The all-in-one complex has a spacious lounge, sports bar, grill, four quality grass football pitches, five changing rooms, a semi Olympic sized swimming pool, a children’s swimming pool, table tennis, and a multi purpose court serving basketball, volleyball, taekwondo, as well as a 16 bedroom accommodation facility available for clubs, local, national, international teams.

Marcel described Lizzy Sports Complex as a place to be everyday with the kids to have fun as you engage in physical education and training.

The former France captain said the complex aims to provide and contribute to the organization of community, city, and countrywide sports competition, and serve as recreational utilization centre for sportsmen and women, families, students, and corporate organizations.

The man who wanted to coach the Black Stars but withdrew from the race hinted that San Siro Estates comprise 20 semi furnished apartments ranging from single bedroom to three bedroom apartments.

“Each has a well equipped kitchen and spacious living rooms designed to meet contemporary standards. To complement our luxury apartments, we also have a state of the art health and fitness centre,” he added.

Born Odenke Abbey to Ghanaian parents, Marcel Desailly is a footballer of international repute and one of the most decorated in the past twenty years.

He is the chief executive of MD Investments Ltd, which manage the Lizzy Sports Complex and San Siro Estates.

They organize events such as football training programmes, vacation camps for kids ages 5- 16 years, and 5-aside football night for clubs.

He stressed that his vision is to support young Ghanaian sports men and women to benefit from the same facilities that abound in the advanced nations, however, they must be disciplined and ready to obey instructions from coaches and administrators. He promised to bring to Ghana other top sports personalities to motivate and inspire young sports people.

On the Black Stars coaching job, he indicated that he has not yet given up, and wished the players and management all the best.