Ghana Volleyball is on the rise – Association President

The President of the Ghana Volleyball Association, Mr Paul Atchoe says volleyball in Ghana is rising steadily, and adds that he foresees Ghana dominating at the international level in the near future.

He said his administration has placed a priority on the development of the game, and soon volleyball would not be the same.

The President made these remarks at the launch of the development of sports system for volleyball, a programme sponsored by the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) through the Olympic Solidarity fund.

Mr Atchoe explained that the project would be in two phases, and said the first phase, which comprises of technical training for regional head coaches, coaches of both indoor and outdoor volleyball including beach volleyball and training for the male and female national teams, would end on September 30.

He said the second phase of the project, which would begin in middle of October to December, would also comprise of training for Physical Education (PE) teachers and the organisation of a mass volleyball competition.

The course instructor would be an International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) instructor, Mostafa Achouche, who, according to the GVA, has been working with them since 2011 and was one of the technical brains behind the introduction of beach volleyball in Ghana.

Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Robert Sarfo Mensah applauded the GOC for the initiative to develop the technical men of volleyball.

He called on the GOC to solicit for more funds to assist the other National Federations to also develop their technical team.

GOC President Ben Nunoo Mensah also commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority for assisting the various federations.

He said the GOC would continue to do their part through the Olympic Solidarity fund to support the various sporting disciplines.

The President, who also doubles as the President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF), said a similar project was done at his federation and they can now boast of over 20 weightlifting coaches.

He said the project has also resulted in the current medal winning form of the Black Cranes.

The course instructor also added that sports have been developing and advancing in recent times, therefore there was the need for officials to always get used to the current trends.

He urged participants to take the lessons serious, and hoped that volleyball in Ghana would take its rightful position at the international stage.