Mr. Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the CAN 2008 Local Organizing Committee, has assured the nation that every effort would be made to make the biannual African football extravaganza being hosted by the nation the best organised event on the continent.

"We're leaving no stone unturned in our effort to complete all projects on time", he told a reporter of the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview at the LOC Secretariat at the Ringway Estates in Accra on Monday.

He said after the last visit by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Inspection team that expressed satisfaction on the work so far carried out, "lots of developments and new ideas have come up for a successful event".

Mr Danquah said the CAN 2008 would bring a lot of new projects and programmes to link sports to other industries.

"The global launch, song and poetry competitions were novelties and we're coming up with a jamboree on September 20, when the 16 countries will be invited to the forecourts of the State House for a grand show," he disclosed.

He disclosed that the draw for the tournament would be held on October 20 and it would be followed by hosting of the representatives of all the participating countries by the four Mayors of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi, where the tournament would be staged.

The LOC Chief Operating Officer stated that as part of the tournament's programme, the group stages would be treated to "National Day Expositions" to enable the participating nations to showcase their natural resources and potentials.

"Football can be used as a platform for business and when the best African football nations meet, we must utilise the gathering to promote business, development and African unity," he said.

Rex Danquah stressed that the new stadiums being put up in Tamale and Essipong, near Sekondi, and the reconstruction of the Accra and Kumasi stadiums, would be legacies that should be properly maintained for the benefit of the whole nation.

As part of the preparations towards an effective media coverage, Mr Danquah disclosed that another media seminar would be organised in August to ensure that the Ghanaian media would not only be kept abreast with the numerous programmes but also help them provide the best coverage during the tournament.

On volunteers, local sponsors and the naming of the CAN 2008 Mascot, he said the important aspects of the soccer fiesta would soon be announced. "This is a big project, hence the need to tackle each programme one after the other".

He could not give off hand the amount so far invested by the government, but added that "everything will be made public at the appropriate time".

Mr Danquah, however, commended the government for accepting the huge challenge to host the prestigious event that is expected to provide more opportunities for tourism and business transactions between Ghanaians and foreign investors who would be in the country during the two-week event.

"I wish to appeal to Ghanaian football fans to troop to the various stadiums to support the national team, the Black Stars, to win the prestigious trophy like the way the last two editions were hosted and won respectively by Tunisia (2004) and Egypt (2006)", the LOC Operating Officer added.


Source: The Statesman