Sports
School Sports Authority, way to go
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) held the Golden Jubilee edition of its annual awards last Saturday with the Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, as the Special Guest of Honour.
It was a beautiful evening to behold as guests enjoyed the honour of seeing some of the nation’s finest sporting heroes share the same stage, reminiscing the past where they kept sports fans awe-struck with the skill they exhibited in their respective trades.
Alberta Sackey, Adjoa Bayor, Abedi Pele, Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, and the professor, Azumah Nelson were honoured for what they showcased in their active years.
The cheers and applause that filled the auditorium confirmed their status in Ghana sports. These were heroes and heroines that paid their due to Ghana sports.
But a country like Ghana with an avid desire for success continues to demand more from the athletes and officialdom for sporting honours. AFCON glory has eluded football fans for over 20 years despite the fact that Ghana was one of the foremost countries to win it four times.
Boxing has struggled to keep Ghana at the very top after the reign of Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko, Richard Commey, and Isaac Dogboe.
Despite the efforts in place to get to the very top, the over 54 federations are struggling with the pace of other countries in the sports space.
This is why one finds Vice President Opoku-Agyemang’s disclosure of the establishment of a School Sports Authority (SSA) very gratifying and pleasing to the ear. There’s no doubt about the fact that the way to the top is by targeting the youth for talent-hunt.
From the basic level to the tertiary/varsity, a lot of talents abound, but the lack of structured sports makes it difficult for the selectors to discover these raw, hidden talents.
The days of ‘Interco’ and Super Zonals seem lost on the minds of people. Meanwhile, the excitement it generated among sports faithful could be compared to some of the high-profile sporting events in Ghana now.
Where we are now is as a result of ‘killing’ sports at the basic level, but the School Sports Authority brings hope.
In the words of the Vice President, the sports and recreation sector was determined to rebuild grassroots systems in the country’s bid to unearth and develop talents to become a force in sports. Central to this was the creation of a dedicated School Sports Authority to oversee athletic programming from the basic school levels through to the universities.
According to her, the School Sports Authority has been tasked to organise regular inter-school and inter-university competitions, drive talent identification, and provide a structured pathway for young Ghanaians.
Indeed, this is the way to go. It could be the launchpad to a bright future in sports for Mother Ghana.
By Andrew Nortey
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Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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