Instructors urged to adopt scientific approach to training

Accra, Sept 16, GNA - Instructors of Keep Fit Clubs have been urged to adopt scientific approaches to the training of their members as nobody will henceforth be allowed to undertake such training without first obtaining a recognized certificate for that purpose.

In a speech read for him at the first congress of Keep Fit Clubs in Accra, Dr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Chief Executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) employed instructors to factor medical conditioning, interest, age and the use of modern training facilities during their conditioning.

He urged them to structure their exercise programmes to fit the needs of individual club members to ensure that they benefited fully from their activities.

Dr Owusu Ansah was grateful to the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) for financing the training of some instructors at Winneba early this year.

He said his outfit takes a serious view of the activities of the Mass Sport Associations (MAS) hence the provision of equipment and other technical assistance to the Keep Fit Clubs.

Dr Owusu Ansah said mass sports appeals to people of all ages, sex and religion which ensues that they live healthy and active lives in conformity with the adage "A sound mind in a sound body"

He said in view of the fact that activities of keep fit clubs cannot be over emphasised, "the NSC and MAS would soon embark on a programme to reorganise all Keep Fit Clubs to ensure that they function properly".

Dr Owusu Ansah was happy with the establishment of scientific fitness centres in the country and urged the clubs to take advantage of the opportunities offered by such centres.

Mr Samuel Asante, General Secretary of MAS said the association came about after the promogation of the "Sports for All" policy in 1979, which aimed at the development and promotion of mass participation in sport for good health.

He said since the establishment of MAS in 1994 several clubs have sprang up in almost every part of the country.

Mr Asante said presently there are over 800 Keep Fit Clubs all over the country but the association has records on only 204 of them. More than half of the Clubs are allocated in the Greater Accra alone. He said in addiction to their usual exercises, Keep Fit Clubs also organise health and AIDS to create awareness of the crippling effects of the menace.

He said the association would soon organise a sequel to the earlier instructors course sponsored by the GOC.