Ghana’s triumph in the just ended FIFA Under- 20 World Cup in Egypt has given the game a tremendous lift in the country. Football has swiftly shifted politics to the background nationwide and the popular topic is how the young stars could be nurtured into great potentials to sustain Ghana’s enviable global image in the game.

Incidentally, the arrival of the Under 20 squad affectionately called the Black Satellites coincided with the thrilling start of the 2009-2010 National Premier League comprising 16 top division clubs from eight out of the ten regions. There was excitement galore at all the league centres and the experts have already predicted a keen competition. It’s only the Eastern and Upper East regions that have no premier league clubs.

Ashanti has four clubs namely Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Kumasi King Faisal Babies, Obuasi Ashgold, and Abramkese Kessben; Greater Accra has three; Accra Hearts of Oak, Accra Great Olympics and Dansoman Liberty Professionals. Brong Ahafo has three; Bechem Chelsea, Berekum Arsenals and Dormaa Aduana Stars. The Western Region boasts of two representatives Sekondi Eleven Wise and Sekondi Hasaacas.

New Edubiase represents the Central Region, Kpandu Heart of Lions for the Volta Region, Wa All Stars for the Upper West Region and Real Tamale United for the Northern region. One can envisage a tight programme.

FIFA has directives that all national leagues be completed early enough for the June 2010 World Cup in South Africa, has informed the Premier League Board to arrange a number of mid-week matches in order to meet the FIFA deadline.

So after the great kick off on Sunday that saw defending champions Accra Hearts of Oak losing away to Kpandu Heart of Lions 2-0 and Asante Kotoko drawing 1-1 with new comers Accra Great Olympics in Accra there will be seven tough parings on Wednesday that will see Accra Hearts facing King Faisal in Accra and Kotoko meeting Sekondi Eleven Wise in Kumasi.

Hasaacas who drew 0-0 with RTU in the opening match will face Heart of Lions in Sekondi; Ashgold, fresh from their 1-0 home win over Berekum Chelsea will meet Wa All Stars at Wa.

All these matches are expected to receive wide patronage because the nation is still in a festive mood celebrating the Black Satellites World Cup triumph. Some selected centres may be lucky to have a view of the trophy when the team goes on a proposed national tour as being demanded by the general public.

It is however doubtful whether the players could display the same enthusiasm that saw them parade the streets of the capital in Accra on Monday ending with a state reception hosted by President Mills at the Castle.

Addressing the gathering at the Castle, both GFA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi and skipper Andre Ayew emphasized the great motivation the players had as a result of the prompt payment of winning bonuses during the competition. Observers believe those remarks were signals for President Mills to pick and announce a bigger package for the team but this did not happen.

And you could see disappointment in the faces of the players when the President said a long lasting winning package would be announced”at the appropriate time after consultations with all stakeholders”.

It is hoped this won’t be unduly long so that the seniors, Black Stars, won’t have any doubts to fight hard to complete their World Cup qualification on a good note and maintain a good focus on South Africa 2010.The infectious football fever blowing across the nation must not be curtailed so soon.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.