Mahama to transform Ghana sports

Kumasi, Oct. 28, GNA - The Flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) Dr. Edward Mahama has promised to institute proactive programmes and vibrant policies to revolutionize Ghana sports if given the nod in the 2008 elections.

Dr Mahama pointed out that sports development is crucial to realizing the developmental goals of the nation, stating that aside inculcating discipline and fellow felling among the youth and the people for increased productivity it also has the potential of enhancing the nation's image at international competitions.

The Flag bearer who said these in an interview with the GNA Sports in Kumasi on Tuesday, explained that a PNC government would forge a closer link between sports and education to benefit sportsmen and women. Dr Mahama noted that when his party is elected into office his government would make education compulsory for sportsmen so that they can lead meaningful lives after they retire from their respective sporting careers.

"The PNC government hopes to turn out doctor-footballers, doctor-boxers and lawyer-athletes, among others", he observed and stressed that move would be made to motivate the youth to take their academic works seriously whiles pursuing their sports careers.

Dr. Mahama expressed his unhappiness that in spite of the contribution of sportsmen and women to national development many of them retire as paupers because they have no alternative vocation to support their living.

He also lamented that in the event of injury or death most of the affected sportsmen and women and their survivors are often left helpless since there is no scheme or fund to make up for the losses. A PNC government, Dr Mahama said would therefore institute a Sports Welfare Fund to cater for injured sportsmen and women whose careers would be under threat and explained that the proposed fund would also be designed to cater for surviving families of sportsmen who die through accident.