Madam Alice Attipoe Acting Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has commended Kwame Amponfi Jr Acting Director of the Greater Accra Regional Sports Directorate for effecting change in administration and management as well as organizing an awards ceremony to motivate workers.
Addressing patrons, guests and workers of the Authority at the second Regional awards event held on Tuesday at the Accra Sports Stadium, she congratulated the staff who supported Mr. Amponfi Jr. to chalk successes despite the few challenges in the system.
“I believe in motivation especially when it comes from within, the internal one from the person acting and not motivation from the external. If one is self motivated he or she can go very far. The NSA is cash strapped but we can see some success and I believe the future is far and we shall get there” she said.
Madam Attipoe noted that when the government implements Decentralisation of sports, the regions and MDA’s will be very serious to encourage sports men and women in the regions to become national athletes.
She hoped that the good old days of Alice Anum and Mike Ahey will be back, because the NSA will continue to play its leadership role and provide assistance to the regions as managers and administrators.
According to the Acting Director General, all regions will benefit same from the Authority as there would be no discrimination, because every region has the potential to produce a sports star.
Edmond Appiah, an administrator who won the overall best worker award said without the support of his co- workers and the motivational director, he could not have been recognized.
He said there was no secret to his hard work than being dedicated to his duties. He advised his colleagues to take life serious and do every thing with seriousness.
Edmund Kwame Kpeglo, a senior coach in basketball who got the Most Dedicated and Disciplined Regional coach said he is self motivated and loves the work he does that is why he is always recognized and rewarded.
Maclean Atsu Dzienyo, a disabled athlete who won gold in an International Open Wheel chair race covering 42 kilometers in South Africa was also rewarded. He said disability is not inability and urged those disabled beggers by the street sides to find better jobs to make proper living.
He was very confident to be recognized and rewarded by the SWAG next year at the 40th awards.
Kwame Amponfi Jr. the Regional Sports Director said they have a few challenges in attracting funds, inadequate office accommodation, lack of sports equipment, non-exitence of modern training facilities and transportation as well as scholarships for outstanding sports students in the region.
He mentioned some of their achievements in organizing French classes for coaches, coming up with the Peer Review programme, renovating and rehabilitating the Tema Sport Stadium, formation of regional teams in various disciplines who are involved in residential and non-residensial camping with the aim of winning the National Unity Games.
He recalled pursuing human capacity programmes for staff and a HIV/AIDS awareness seminar handled by Dr. Opata, the Greater Accra HIV/AIDS Cordinator.
He commended the media and a few sponsors of the awards ceremony such as COB-A Ventures and Tagoe’s Kitchen.
Among the high profile diginaries who graced the programme were the Greater Accra Regional minister, Hon.Julius Debrah and executives of the NSA.