The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been urged to consider Abdul Hayye Yartey for a leadership position in Ghana Beach Soccer as part of efforts to strengthen the administration and accelerate the development of the sport.
Yartey, who is the owner and bankroller of Cheetah FC, is being proposed as a candidate worthy of consideration to lead the beach soccer fraternity, with calls for fresh leadership ideas that can help reposition the sport and unlock its full potential.
His involvement in football through Cheetah FC gives him a connection to the practical side of club administration and the responsibilities associated with supporting a football institution. His possible appointment would present an opportunity for the GFA to explore new approaches towards strengthening beach soccer administration, improving stakeholder engagement and creating a more sustainable environment for players and other key actors.
Ghana Beach Soccer remains an important part of the country’s football development structure, with the national team, the Black Sharks, representing the country in international competitions. However, sustaining its growth will require committed leadership, effective administration and a clear vision for the future.
The development of beach soccer requires more than participation in international competitions. It demands deliberate investment in grassroots structures, regular domestic competitions, talent identification, player welfare and stronger partnerships with corporate organisations.
A focused leadership approach could also help attract sponsors and development partners, whose support remains essential to building a competitive and financially sustainable beach soccer programme.
The Black Sharks, in particular, need an administrative structure that prioritises their welfare, provides adequate preparation for international assignments and creates the right conditions for players and technical officials to perform at their best.
With the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations and other international competitions forming part of Ghana’s ambitions, strengthening the administrative foundation of the sport should remain a priority for the GFA.
The Association must also ensure that the leadership of Ghana Beach Soccer is guided by clearly defined responsibilities, accountability, commitment and a genuine interest in the long-term development of the game.
Over the years, Ghana Beach Soccer has benefited from the contributions of different administrators, including former committee chairman Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, whose involvement in the sport played an important role in its development and promotion.
Building on that foundation will require continuity in areas that have worked, while embracing fresh ideas and strategies to address the challenges confronting the sport.
Abdul Hayye Yartey’s name deserves to feature prominently in that conversation. As the owner and bankroller of Cheetah FC, his involvement in football provides an additional dimension to his profile as the GFA considers possible leadership options for Ghana Beach Soccer.
The GFA should give serious consideration to his candidacy and assess how his experience in football club ownership and his vision could contribute to the next phase of the sport.
Ultimately, the objective should be to establish a stronger and more organised beach soccer structure capable of supporting players, attracting investment and improving Ghana’s competitiveness on the international stage.
Ghana Beach Soccer has the potential to achieve much more, and the GFA must give careful consideration to Abdul Hayye Yartey as a possible choice to lead its next chapter.
