Cargill and Cruyff Foundation build first Cruyff Court in Sub-Saharan Africa

This court represents a significant investment in the youth, talent and future leaders of Tema, Ghana and the African continent. The court will provide school children in the Tema Community with the opportunity to develop their leadership capabilities, both on and off the field. Ghana Educational Services estimates that over 6,000 children will benefit from this project. The ultra-modern facility, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa, has male and female changing rooms, floodlights, security fencing and is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities.

As part of the project, 16 local coaches will be trained to support activities and model these leadership values on the court and in the communities. Additionally, to ensure the facility serves its purpose for generations to come, a local steering committee comprising representatives of Tema Metro Sports Committee, Kwasi Plange Electoral Area, Tema Traditional Council, Ghana Education Service, Cargill Ghana Limited, Mante-Din School and the Metropolitan Assembly has been set up and charged with the responsibility of maintaining the facility.

Hon. Yusuf Mustapha, Minister of Youth and Sports, commended the Cruyff Foundation and Cargill at the project’s commissioning, highlighting the facility’s positive impact on youth sports in Tema. The project reinforces the government of Ghana and the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) commitment to develop children’s potential from an early age.

Niels Meijer, CEO of the Cruyff Foundation, affirms the facility will especially benefit kids and youngsters for whom sport isn’t a guaranteed part of their lives. “With this Cruyff Court we create Space. Space to play sports. Space to make friends. Space to have fun. Space to grow through sports and play. Cargill is a partner for already many years, for that and this fantastic new Cruyff Court here in Ghana, we are very grateful” he said.

Facilitated by Cargill, ten partners came together to realize this project, crossing borders and breaking down barriers; the Cruyff Foundation, The Tema Metropolitan Assembly, the Tema traditional council, local community representatives and several partners active in education and sports.

Aedo van der Weij, Managing Director of Cargill Ghana, remarked, “I am excited to be part of the history we make today. A history that will go a long way to promoting the development of sports among the youth of Tema, for now and for future generations. This project exemplifies Cargill’s values – doing the right thing, reaching higher and putting people first – and reinforces our commitment to improving livelihoods in our communities.”

About Cargill in Ghana

Cargill has been sourcing cocoa from Ghana for over 40 years and in 2008 opened its state-of-the-art cocoa processing facility in Tema. Today the company has around 550 permanent and temporal employees processing cocoa products to service food and confectionary customers locally and around the world. In 2016 Cargill added a licensed buying company (LBC) to its Ghanaian footprint. The LBC operations offering employment to 320 permanent and temporal staff brings innovative ways to trade with our farmers placing emphasis on our sustainability and traceability efforts.
  

About Cruyff Foundation 

The Cruyff Foundation supports and develops impactful sports and play projects all around the world. We put this into practice by sports projects for children with special needs , by setting up outdoor sports facilities in deprived areas ( Cruyff Courts, Schoolyard14 ) and via social sports programs. Through these actions we create space for children. Space to grow. Space to make friends. Space to improve both their physical and mental health. Space to become who they are.

The Cruyff Foundation runs projects in more than 20 countries. Worldwide there are almost 300 Cruyff Courts, more than 650 Schoolyards 14’s and almost 600 active Cruyff Foundation Coaches. Every week we are helping thousands of children all over the world to move up by being active.