Poor financing likely to affect preparation for games

Lack of funds to undertake a number of planned programmes by associations under the National Sports Council (NSC) has been identified as factors that could hamper the country's chances of winning medals in this year's All African Games scheduled for Nigeria.

This came to light when the General Secretaries of the various associations outlined their programme for this year at the monthly meet the sporting press series in Accra on Tuesday.

Most of the General Secretaries said even though they have drawn elaborate programmes that could win laurels for the country these could not be implemented because of non- availability of funds.

The Ghana Amateur Athletics Association (GAAA) who were the first to address the meeting said they are preparing feverish for the All African Games and for the first time they would change their mode of selection into the national athletics team.

Mr S. S Attuahene, Head Coach said every athlete would have to justify his inclusion into the national team by participating in the National trials.

He said to avoid the excuse by most of the foreign based athletes that they get injured when they use the tartan tracks at the Accra and Kumasi Sports stadiums, plans are afoot to have the national trails preferably in Togo to select the national team.

Mr Attuahene said as part of their talent identification programme for the year, the country has been divided into five different parts to ensure that the every athlete with the talent is brought into the net.

Mr Eddie Duplan, Chairman of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) said their preparation for the Games started immediately after the Commonwealth Games with their participation in the zone three boxing tournament in Benin where they came tops with five Gold, five silver and two bronze.

He said they have continued with a non-residential camping at the Accra sports Stadium preparing for this year's West African zone three championship which would be used as a qualifier for the African Championship.

He said after the All African Games the team would most likely participate in the world Boxing Championship in Bangkok Thailand.

Mr Kudjo Fianu, Administrative Secretary of Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) said his association would set its activities for the year rolling with the LG Top 4 contest, which is aimed at keeping teams competing in the continental club championships in shape.

He said Ghalca would in the course of the year organise seminars for club administrators to ensure that they shed some of the crude methods of organising their programmes to ensure that they attract sponsorship to reduce the burden of financing football on government.

Mr Saka Acquaye, Secretary General of the Ghana Handball Association said Ghana has been handed the right to host the qualifier for the All African Games in Accra and this would involve six other African countries.

Other associations like Tennis, Table Tennis, Cycling, Basketball and Special Olympics outlined their programmes for the year. Present at the meeting were Mr Albert Agbozo, Chief Administrative Officer of the NSC and other member of the NSC.