THE first ultra-modern sports village in the country with a $360,000 hostel was commissioned at the Ofori Stadium, Anyinam, Obuasi last Saturday.

The one-storey hostel is equipped with a physiotherapy centre, sick bay, kitchen, laundry and a recreation hall to house the 40 students of the Sam Okyere Soccer Academy, the nursery club of Obuasi Goldfields Sporting Club Ltd.

It also has 14 rooms serving as dormitories, referees dressing room, as well as coaches room and a store. It was commissioned by the Asantehene, Ofumfuo Osei Tutu II, affectionately called King Solomon.

Other personalities present at the commissioning were the Adansihene, Nana Ofori Agyeman II, some Adansi chiefs, Mr Louis van Eijk, M. D. Shell Ghana Limited, and Messrs Jeroen Slop and Adrie Brands, Ajax Amsterdam Financial Director and Financial Controller respectively, and GFA representatives.

Speaking at the ceremony, Supporterhene, Dr Sam E. Jonah, Chief Executive of AGC, said though Goldfields Sporting Club Ltd is a young club in Ghana soccer, it has chalked much successes as the first club to own a stadium, win the professional league consecutively for three years and also came the runner-up in the Africa Clubs Championship competition.

On the objectives of the club, he said it was formed to promote soccer in a professional manner with instilled discipline in the game and also provide services and ntertainment to the community whose lives are affected y the activities of the Mine.

In view of these, Dr Jonah said the management of Goldfields entered into partnership with Ajax, a club which has vision and a proven track to share ideas.

Dr Johan emphasised that “it is early days though, but the signs of our joint-partnership are worth mentioning and the future will give a healthy meaning to the contract for the two clubs to benefit form the products of the academy.”

He noted that countries that excel in sports have also excelled in economic development and expressed the hope that through sports Ghana will be same position in the near future.

Dr Jonah expressed his profound gratitude to all those who in diverse ways have solidly rallied behind the club most especially Otumfuo, the Asantehene and their sponsors for being their tower of strength.

As the Number One supporter” of Goldfields S.C. Dr Jonah passed on the acolade to Nana Ofiri Agyeman II, Adansihene who for some years have shown enthused support for the club.

On his part, Mr Louis Van Eijk, M/D for Shell Ghana Ltd, pledged the company’s continuous support to Goldfields S/C and wished the management and palyers all the luck to put their dreams and measures into reality for the benefit of Ghana soccer.

In a welcoming address Mr A.D. Zonderland, Managing Director of Goldfields Ltd, said to be a great and successful club in the past is one thing but the future is of more importance hence the Goldfields-Ajax “marriage” and promised to make the Obuasi club champions in Ghana and Africa.

He said Ajax have no interest in buying players but to create them, hence, the idea to train the talented young players to become top footballers.

The Managing Director assured the public that the slected players at the academy are not only trained to play excellently but also are prepared morally and academically for a brighter future.