Ghanaian ex-footballers hit back at Sammy Kuffour over use of astro-turfs

Ex-Black Stars players Augustine Arhinful, Sam Johnson and Laryea Kingson are in support of the construction of the astro-turfs across the country despite calls by Sammy Kuffour to have it ban.

Ghana has seen a rapid rise in the construction of artificial turfs across the country.

Sammy Kuffour in an interview indicated that the Ghanaian youth players will suffer from injuries due to the artificial pitches which has been banned in most European countries.

According to him, it is not the best pitch to play on for developing talents.

"Now, we have astro-turf coming to Ghana; is it good for our football? For me, I think it's not the best for our kids, how many of them would get injuries in the Achilles, injury problems everywhere because of astro-turf", he told reporters at the Bundesliga Football School press conference.

However, the Ghanaian trio say otherwise as they believe the astro-turfs will improve the Sports sector of the economy.

According to Sam Johnson, the government needs to invest more in quality astro-turfs.

“If the country is considering building the normal pitches, then they should try to raise the standard deserving as a football pitch…The astro-turf is good but how to maintain it is the most important. If we say we are going to do it, then we should go for the quality and the best".

Augustine Arhinful opined that the astro-turfs will help improve the technical ability of the youth

Laryea Kingston however commended Wembley Sports Complex (WSC), a privately owned Ghanaian Company and contractor for the construction of the artificial pitches, for their dedication to the work.

“I have played both on normal pitch and astro-turf and can testify that the astro-turfs are good. I don’t agree with those kicking against astro-turf pitch because it’s been done in France, Germany and England. So, why not in Ghana?", he questioned.

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