Accra, Jan. 23, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has struck a collaborative partnership with Sogakope-based Red Bull Soccer Academy.

The partnership directed at the promotion of the activities of the two parties is geared towards the development of the game in the country.

The deal was reached following a familiarisation tour of the Academy by the Executives and members of the Association on Friday. Siegfried Sanzio Bahner, General Manager of the Academy told the SWAG delegation his thirst for developing football from the grassroots level motivated the birth of the facility. He said despite the Academy's short existence, it has produced some players for the various national youth teams, especially the Black Starlets (National U-17 team).

Bahner, former Technical Director of Premiership sides King Faisal and Hearts of Oak assured SWAG of his outfit's support towards their programmes as part of their social responsibilities. Ackah Anthony, President of SWAG lauded the concept of the Academy, which also provides academic lesson for players between the ages of 13 and 17.

He urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Premiership clubs, especially Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko to adopt the youth concept of the Academy to achieve desired goals. Red Bull Soccer Academy, established in 2007 and funded by Austrian-based energy-drink producers, Red Bull GmBh has similar facilities in Brazil, USA and Austria.

It boasts of U-13, U-15, U-17 and senior teams that participate in the Volta Regional Second Division League at their 50-acre ultra-modern complex at Sogakope, off the Accra-Aflao road.

Billed for completion in June, the facility, which costs over 2 million Euros has two artificial pitches, a multi-purpose pitch, four dormitories, computer laboratory, among others. The Academy, which boast of players from Nigeria, Togo and Benin also offers the curricula of the Ghana Education Service as well as courses in German and French.