President John Agyekum Kufuor has demanded high level professionalism and sportsmanship from all the 16 national football teams, which have qualified for the African Cup of Nations, Ghana 2008 tournament.
The competition, he said, should serve as a unique opportunity not just to showcase the best of teams and talents but also strengthen the bond of unity of the continent.
President Kufuor was speaking at the official draw for the tournament at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra on Friday.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Isa Hayatou and members of the continent's football controlling body, the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Ministers of State and Parliamentarians attended the colourful and well patronised ceremony.
The event was telecast live to viewers from across the world.
President Kufuor noted that Africa had a vast football potential, whose realisation was yet to peak.
He said it was a promising industry that must be supported by investors to provide additional opportunities for football talents.
He congratulated the teams that would from January 2008, be competing in Ghana at four centres - Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale - for the coveted African Nations Cup and said they were entitled to see themselves as winners.
President Kufuor also invited football fans from all over the world to travel down to Ghana to watch the competition.
Source: GNA
