African football business summit in the offing

The first business conference aimed at African football will take place in Ghana later this year.

The maiden edition of the African Football Executive Summit will be held in Accra from 26-27 May.

Organiser says they are seeking to examine the business aspect of the game in Africa, which has been neglected in previous football summits.

"There are many opportunities and challenges which must be looked at," organiser Edward Abankwa said.

"There have been previous conferences held on football in the past but the African aspect of the game played a peripheral role.

"So this is the platform for these business opportunities to be explored, and struggling clubs and leagues can also gain some useful insight on how to operate successfully in the African context."

Together with world governing body Fifa, football administrators from Africa and Asia will be in attendance, as will representatives from Europe's top leagues.

Giants Al Ahly of Egypt, continental champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo and other top clubs from the continent are expected at the event.

Delegates from the leading African leagues, sponsors of African football events and agents will also attend the festival.

As well as the wheeling and dealing, a wide variety of issues will be discussed at the two-day event.

Workshops featuring some of the biggest names in the world football industry will be passing on useful advice to delegates.

Other workshops will look at how to develop talented African and academy players into valuable assets.

Firms exhibiting at the event cover all aspects of the football industry - from commerce, training, design and event management to logistics, marketing, manufacturing and construction.

Organisers say exhibitors and delegates will take the opportunity to network with suppliers, manufacturers and key buyers both in Africa and across the global industry.