Chicago Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko is lending his support to an Indiegogo campaign for the construction of a community sports facility in Keta, Ghana to help improve and develop soccer in Ghana.
“When I grew up, I played barefoot on gravel, and at the end of the game we would have cuts and bruises all over. But we would come back the next day and play again,†said Nyarko.
“That’s what we had to deal with and we were never going to stop playing because it hurt us. We did not have access to soccer fields to help develop your game and take it to the next level.â€
Through the help of Sandlanders Football, a not-for-profit organization establishing community-owned soccer teams throughout Africa, and the Keta Municipality, the plan is to build a 6.5 acre Soccerhub in Keta to grow the sport of soccer in Ghana and to give the community a central location to host community events and showcase the local industry in Keta.
Nyarko, a native of Kumasi, joined the project because he believes it will contribute to the development of the children of the area, not just in terms of their soccer skills but also in terms of their character. Additionally, the facility will provide local children a safe haven in the community.
“When this opportunity presented itself, I did not hesitate and wanted to help contribute and help the youth back home,†said Nyarko.
“This place will not only give them a place to play soccer, but also a place to go to after school to hang out with friends and stay out of trouble.
“The last couple of World Cups, we have seen the tremendous amount of talent back in Ghana and to help the youth develop that way through the construction of soccer fields and facilities, it will only help them become great players and hopefully future role models in the community.â€
