Calls for investment in sports development

Kumasi, June 29, GNA - Prince Ernest Oduro-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council has said that the time has come for devotion of a bigger chunk of the national resources towards sports development.

He said that since sports' has become more important and an integral ingredient for the enhancement of peace, unity, cohesion and health of the citizenry all over the world with Ghana being primed for an economic break-through in the nearest future, "we should not in any way neglect sports in our development agenda".

Prince Oduro-Mensah made the call at the closing ceremony of the 2008 edition of the Olympic Day Run in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital on Saturday.

The 10-kilometer event saw about 500 people including the aged, physically challenged and students participating.

The Run was sponsored by Unique Star Foods Limited in collaboration with the National Sports Council and Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) which was also replicated in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region. The Chief Executive said his outfit would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to develop sports in the country to an appreciable standard through various programmes such as inter schools and colleges athletics and soccer championships as well as competitions in other sporting disciplines.

Prince Oduro-Mensah commended the participants for their sense of discipline which resulted in the successful organization of the event. Patrick Obeng emerged winner in the physically challenged men's division and was presented with a certificate and souvenirs from Unique Star Foods limited while Madam Hassana Fuseini who emerged winner in the physically challenged women's division was also presented with a certificate and souvenirs from the company.

Mr. Johnson Appiah, 57, emerged winner in the old-aged category and was presented with a certificate and souvenirs while Madam Habiba Atta, 61, who was adjudged the oldest woman to complete the race and was given a certificate and souvenirs.