Why NSA boss delayed his US World Cup trip

The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has joined staff and security personnel at the Accra Sports Stadium to watch Ghana's crucial FIFA World Cup matches.

Although the tournament is being hosted in the United States, the NSA boss has deliberately postponed his trip to the competition, opting instead to experience the World Cup atmosphere in Ghana and observe watch parties being organised at NSA facilities across the country.

According to him, the decision forms part of efforts to personally assess the impact, benefits and challenges of the watch party initiative.

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"One of the reasons that informed my decision to stay back home and soak up the World Cup in Ghana is that I want to feel and experience that vibe for the first time," he explained.

Yaw Ampofo Ankrah noted that his previous World Cup experiences were spent following the Black Stars abroad, making this year's tournament a unique opportunity to engage with local supporters and experience the competition from the perspective of fans at home.

"Each of the previous four World Cup tournaments I have covered with the Black Stars have been outside Ghana. So this is a wonderful new experience for me," he said.

The NSA Director-General further revealed that he plans to travel to the United States later in the tournament after gaining firsthand insight into how Ghanaians are enjoying football's biggest showpiece back home.

"I'll definitely travel to the US for the remainder of the tournament now that I have had a taste and feel of the raw, organic local energy," he added.

The initiative forms part of the NSA's efforts to bring the World Cup experience closer to fans while promoting community engagement and national unity through football.

PAH/MA

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