Accra, Sept 19, GNA - Amine Ben Markhoulf, a Moroccan has been appointed by the International Tennis Federation as the new development officer for West and Central Africa to be stationed in Ghana. The ITF official whose one-year renewable contract commences on October 1, replaces Achille Takpa, a former Development Officer from Benin.

Markhoulf visited the country last week to have a first hand information about Ghana before relocating from his Moroccan base by the end of the month.

He told the GNA Sports in an exclusive interview that, "it's a great honour to be stationed in Ghana where many of my friends have fond memories from their previous visits". The Moroccan would be responsible for developmental projects under the ITF programmes in 20 countries in the sub region and the Central Africa.

Mr Markhoulf said he was optimistic that his stay in the country would afford the Ghana Tennis Association (GTA) the opportunity to develop talents and produces would class players. Though yet to begin duty, Markhoulf is relishing an African Championship to be staged in Ghana, insisting, "Ghana has incredible players and I believe staging an African Championship here would be an immense opportunity to their chances of discovering and developing more talent".

He expressed satisfaction with the current structure put down by the GTA and articulated that "together I'm sure Ghana can achieve her dream of producing world-class players".

Mr Charles Kudjo Attah, General Secretary of the Association told the GNA Sports that his outfit was honoured to have the developmental officer stationed in the country.

He said plans were far advanced to acquire the Moroccan a work permit among other things to make his stay a comfortable one. He was buoyant about the prospect that his presence would present and said the Association would seize each moment of it to improve on its performance.