Amarteifio calls for recognition of retired sportsmen

Accra, May 19, GNA - Mr Amarkai Amarteifio, Secretary of Youth and Sports during the PNDC era has bemoaned about the neglect of retired sportsmen and women who have contributed to sports development in the country.

He cried at the manner that most retired sportsmen and women "struggle to get into the sports stadia and arena where once they gave this nation reason to be a proud a Ghanaian."

Mr Amarteifio, also a Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) made this remarks on Wednesday during the swearing in ceremony of newly elected Executives of SWAG.

The Consul General of Sweden also complained about the trend where highly paid professional sports men are present with acrs and other gifts at the expense of retired sportsmen who performed for the love of the game and for love of their country.

He challenged the SWAG to put their house in order to be in a position to advice Governments and Ministers of Youth and Sports to disengage from that "bad partctice."

"A Sports writer should be able to write that the cost of one car can make all the difference in the pathetic lives of our retired sportsmen, who have been largely ignored by successive Government in this country.

"Our definition of heroism in this country is faulty and the sportswriters must be able to proclaim from the rooftop without fear, favour, attention or ill will," he said.

He also noted that the conversion of the now Ohene Djan Stadium into a football stadium has also contributed to decline in our medal hauls at major competitions.

Mr Amarteifio tasked the new executives to encourage their members to achieve high standards in reporting and assessment of sports promotion and development.

The new sworn into office were Ackah Anthony - President, Ben Ohene Aryeh - Vice President, William Ezah - General Secretary, Sammy Heywood Okine - Deputy General Secretary, Veronica Commey - Treasurer, with Mathias Tibu and Frank Ampadu as Executive members.