Tertiary institutions must promote sports

Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has reiterated the need for the various universities and other tertiary educational institutions to develop academic curricular that promote sporting disciplines.

That, he said, would create a platform for budding talents that were discovered at the second cycle institutions during inter-school and inter-zonal competitions to develop their careers in sports for sustainable development and economic growth.

Mr. Ayariga said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Mr. Vincent Oppong-Asamoah, at the Fourth Edition of the Western Region Sports Awards in Takoradi over the weekend.

He said it was crucial to develop such young sporting talents because they would win laurels for themselves, the country and gain sustainable livelihoods.

He said the Government remained committed to enhancing sporting infrastructure and mentioned the 15,000 capacity Cape Coast Sports Stadium and the proposed construction of districts sports arenas in some selected districts across the country next year, as clear manifestation of its commitment.

The event, organized by West Prime Communications Limited, was held under the theme, “Supporting the Education of Needy but Brilliant Sportsmen, Our Responsibility”.

It also served as a platform to honour sports men and women in the region who distinguished themselves in various sporting disciplines last year.

The Minister said funding for sporting activities had become difficult and a huge burden on the Government alone to shoulder.

He, therefore, appealed to corporate organizations to also fund sporting activities in order to ensure a holistic development of sports across the country.

To facilitate this endeavour, a Sports Foundation was launched to solicit funds to support brilliant but needy students who would exhibit exceptional sporting talents to pursue further education.

Some individuals and corporate organizations pledged cash donations to the fund.

Mr. McDonald Som, Corporate Affairs Manager of West Prime Communications Limited, in an address, said the annual sports event had created competition among individuals, teams, and institutions and motivated them to improve upon their performances and win laurels for themselves and the country.

In all, 28 awards comprising 21 general and seven special awards were presented to individuals, organizations and personalities who had supported sports in various ways.

The climax of the ceremony saw the crowning of Ebenezer Assifuah, a former player of the Black Satellites team, won a bronze medal at the World under-20 Tournament in Turkey, in 2013, as the Overall Best Player and Sports Personality of the Year. Assifuah was the top-scorer in that tournament.

Assifuah, who currently plays for FC Sion in Switzerland, was not present to collect his awards, therefore, his mother, Maame Efua Maaye, collected them on his behalf amidst pomp and pageantry.

Other award winners are Samira Suleman with Hasaacas Ladies, winning the Female Player of the Year, Coach Yusif Basigi of Hasmal Ladies - Coach of the Year and Sylvester Adjogu - referee of the year. Hasmal Ladies won the team of the Year.

The rest are, the Senior High School of the Year - Ghana Secondary Technical School, Nana Banyin Eyeson of Sekondi Hasaacas and Hasmal Ladies - club chairman of the year, Paboase DC Junior High School- Basic School of the Year, Sarah Twumwaa- Female Table Tennis Player of the Year, and Mr George Owu of Sekondi Hasaacas was given a special award for dedication and valour.

Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion were Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Omanhen of Essikadu Traditional Area and sports enthusiast, Nana Osafo Adjei, Managing Director of Takoradi International Company, Mr. Alfred Ekow Gyan, Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mr. Okyere-Darko-Mensah, Member of Parliament for Takoradi, as well as Former Black Stars players, Managers of sports clubs, coaches and sports men and women.