The maiden edition of the Western Region invitational tournament (2019), under the auspices of the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) was on Monday, launched to showcase the soccer potentials of the region.
The novelty, a brainchild of the Western Region Sports Committee (WRSC), followed discussions by soccer enthusiasts including Rex Danquah to reposition football back to the glorious days of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s when the game was the spirit of the region.
Participating teams are group A -Skyy FC, Kerala United, Sekondi Hasaacas and Sekondi Eleven Wise with the Essipun Stadium as the venue whiles Group B will feature Medeama FC, Samartex FC, Proud United, Nzema Kotoko at the Samreboi Stadium.
At stake is a trophy donated by the WRCC and undisclosed cash.
The opening match, scheduled for Friday, September 13, at the Samreboi Stadium will see Samartex FC jostling for honours with Proud United at 2.30 pm while the final match will be played between winner of match 13 and match 14 on Sunday, September 22, at the Essipun Stadium.
Launching the event, the Western Regional Minister, Mr Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah said the tournament would serve as a platform to build confidence in the players in the region and also compete with the big teams in Ghana.
He indicated that the planning of the event showed the commitment and leadership drive of members of the WRSC, adding that with a common sense of purpose the tournament would be an example in the country.
“This is a platform for us to make money and tell the nation that, indeed, the best comes from the West. Yes, the glorious days must come back. We shall do all that we can to make the tournament a memorable one. “The regional minister noted.
He, however, urged that the game would not tolerate acts of indiscipline, cheating and hooliganism.
Mr Darko-Mensah urged the media to report not just on the event, but also advertise and market the potentials of the region to attract more sponsors for the tournament.
He announced that government, had, this year given the approval for the renovation of the Essipun stadium.
The chairman of the WRSC, Mr Wilson Arthur, mentioned that the seeds of the tournament was sown after series of strategic meetings with the Regional Minster and was happy that the event was being launched as festival for excellence during the pre-seasons.
He said, in future, invitations would be handed to big teams like Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko to increase competition.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, SEKONDI
