Mr Joe Aggrey, the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, has said the government is committed to encouraging the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to set up a vibrant national women's league that would help propel women's football to greater heights.

According to Mr Aggrey, the govermnent's commitment stems from the recognition of the role women soccer can play in the socio-economic development of the nation.

The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, who was addressing a ceremony to honour Ghatel Ladies for winning the six-nation tournament in Burkina Faso, last August, at the SSNIT Guest House last Thursday, also urged well-meaning companies and corporate bodies to lend financial support to the development of women's football.

He said despite the remarkable achievement women's soccer has chalked, including winning silver and bronze at the two African Women's Championship held in 1998 and 2000, as well as making an appearance at the 1999 World Cup, women's soccer is still under-developed. He observed that it has not attained any remarkable level and has been left for public institutions and individuals to organise it on voluntary basis.

He, on behalf of the government, commended the management and staff of the Ghana Telecom for the tremendous support they have given to women's soccer in the country and expressed particular satisfaction for the performance of Ghatel Ladies of Accra as one of the teams to beat in women's football as well as their success at the Burkina tournament.

Mr Aggrey, on behalf of the ministry, presented a cheque for ?2.5 million to the team.

Mr Dato' Abdul Malek Mohammed, the Managing Director of Ghana Telecom, expressed satisfaction that the company's idea of providing a healthy body for a sound mind as part of its human resource development, has generated into a national pride. He said aside of Ghatel Ladies Accra and other Ghatel Ladies football clubs formed in six other regions, sooner than later, all the regional offices would have soccer teams.

Mr Mohammed revealed that apart from women's soccer, Ghana Telecom has also supported boxing, netball and golf.

Miss Genevive Clottey, the General Captain of the team, who presented the various trophies the team won in Burkina Faso, appealed to management to consider employing members of the team who qualify.