THE FUTURE OF GHANA BEACH SOCCER


By Paul Dushie

Though the pandemic has had a negative impact on society, it has also taught us to be “innovative, creative and explore new ways of surviving, stabilizing and thriving again” says Mr. Ampofo-Ankrah, the chairman of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association. He is hopeful Ghana beach soccer will resume before the end of the year amidst the outbreak of the corona virus pandemic.

This is after all sporting activities faced a downtown following the outbreak of corona virus in the country. Beach Soccer was originally formed as Ghana Beach Sports Association in 2008 under the National Sports Council and has strived to stay alive over the years. The association after its formation has seen a lot of transformation and has come to stay. Although the sport is part of the football family, it is not played on a green football pitch but in the sand, mostly next to the ocean or the sea. Unlike football which is played by twenty-two players with eleven on each side, beach soccer is played by ten players with five on each side.

The sand-based sport has over the years faced many challenges both locally and internationally. Most recent challenges being the absence of the Ghanaian team at international competitions for two years and its failure to begin the division one and Super leagues this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic did not only halt the sport's major leagues but also halted the Association's decade celebrations.



In an exclusive interview with Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah, the association's chairman, he says although the pandemic has played a major role in hindering the progress of the sport this year, it has given the chance to individuals to device new ways of doing things .  He also added that his  association has managed to keep teams and players motivated to stay focused for the new season and coming years.

He further stated, that since beach soccer is played in a wide area or space, they have an advantage in terms of coming back quickly.



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