At the end of every junior campaign, the Ghana Football Association begins the hunt for the next batch of talents to form the core of the junior national teams. Lots of prospects shine through Ghana's football development system right from the under-17 level. The football development agenda of the FA begins at the grassroots level with the start-up age being 12. At that tender age, the kids display their technical skills and raw flair. Developing kids at the grassroots level at that age comes with a mixed bag as some do rise to fulfil their potential while the bubble for others implode due to several factors. In recent times, the sport has had to rival the educational needs of the kids with some opting to combine both while others with great ball skills severe ties with the game completely. Despite that, the stock never depletes likewise the quality. However the Ghana Football Association is desirous to further send the sport to every hamlet where the younger ones can be allowed to show off their talents but at a much younger age now. The creation of football awareness at the grassroots level would now be targeted at children between the ages 6 and 8, says the Francis Oti Akenteng, Technical Director of the FA. "It makes such a big difference to be able to work with them from such a young age. Lots can be seen at this age and once you get them interested, you get the base for the real work," says the Technical Director of the FA. Children at that age will undergo special sessions during weekends with the development coaches of the FA. "Getting the kids over the weekends would be the best way out of this situation considering their academic requirements. "I guess parents will feel much comfortable with this arrangement than working with them during week days when they would have to be in the offices." Asked why this tender age, Oti Akenteng says: "To improve their technical skills with the ball. We need to get it started at this age and thankfully the Ghana , Football Association has been addressing this issue. The good thing is even getting it to kids at those ages." The new concept which will start in the regional capitals of the country will require the support of parents who are expected to kit their wards and send them over to the field for the special training sessions and football matches. "Once the parents are involved, it makes it a lot easier to have access to the kids. You know we would need all the necessary information of every child and the best people to help in that is their parents." Over the years, personnel to manage such kids seem not imbibe the right methods which goes to hamper their development. But the Technical Director of the FA says the development coaches have been taken through training courses to help execute this particular concept. Former FA boss, Ben Koufie, a key player in the Ghana Football Association's Four-Year Development Plan, has welcomed the new concept. Ben Koufie, Fifa and Caf technical instructor as well says creating early awareness among young children is a sure way of preserving and identifying talents. "It will be interesting for parents to watch their young children between 6-8 years play every weekend," the former FA boss Ben Koufie said. Source: Enquirer