Sports Bill not in Parliament yet - Ayariga

Minister of Youth and Sports Mahama Ayariga has revealed the much-awaited Sports Bill has not been submitted to Parliament yet because of the insistence on introducing a new tax to support sports development in Ghana.

The bill seeks to replace SMC Decree 54 of 1976 regarding the various aspects of sports management, promotion and development in Ghana and seeks to make it current with international best practises. It is also aimed at significantly helping with the way sports is financed in Ghana.

But speaking on the Ultimate Sports Drive show, Ayariga said the bill has stalled because stakeholders have not been able to agree on the introduction of a new tax.

“I think that if people are willing to forgo a new tax for sports, I think the bill can go ahead without any hindrance.

“For now the bill is not yet in Parliament because stakeholders have not agreed on whether to impose a new tax because of all the political and economic implications it may have,” Ayariga said.