Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has urged the association’s Executive Council to reconsider its decision to build another astro turf at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram instead of a natural grass pitch.
As part of its agreement with the GFA, betPawa, the new headline sponsor of the Ghana Premier League, has cut sod for the construction of a standard FIFA astro turf pitch capable of hosting international matches.
The facility would have a changing room, a VIP stand, and seating capacity, among other things.
“There are existing astro turfs in Prampram presently. Aside from that, the government is building a number of astro turfs all over the country. I think we should rather take advantage of this betPawa deal to build a first-class natural grass training pitch, instead of the present plan.”
According to him, as an association, often times they resort to the state-owned pitches for training purposes “and all can attest to the somewhat difficulties that come with the move.”
“Presently, and in future, countries are and will be moving away from the use of astro turf. In the Netherlands today, they have banned the use of artificial turfs,” Afriyie, who contested GFA Presidential election in 2019, said.
Meanwhile, GFA President Kurt Okraku responded, assuaging Afriyie’s concerns by stating that the plan is to build about nine pitches.
He did promise, however, that the mini-stadium would be a natural grass pitch.
Okraku took the opportunity to thank betPawa for their confidence and desire to help Ghanaian domestic football grow.
