Sports
‘Don’t ignore athletes in covid-19 times’
Former Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Mr George Haldane-Lutterodt has asked sports federation heads to support athletes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which has rendered athletes inactive.
According to Mr Lutterodt, the athletes could not be left alone in such crucial moments when they required financial and other logistical support to train and keep fit as they wait for sporting activities to resume.
“This is the moment they need their leaders to support them. We cannot leave them to struggle for survival and expect them to come back strongly and compete for the nation,” he stated.
Apart from the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) and the Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (GBFA), none of the over 40 other federations have provided any form of support to their respective athletes despite the unbearable conditions of the athletes courtesy COVID-19.
Government, he said, has done well to offer support across the board but charged federation heads to be proactive and go to the aid of their athletes in order to get the best out of them after the pandemic.
In view of this, the former GAA capo has set a sports fund to help athletes in need and has contributed GH¢15,000 as seed money for the special fund to support the athletes.
“They need help and this is my own small way of assisting. The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), federation heads and other stakeholders must come on board to support the athletes,” he stated.
Some athletes, he said, might not be able to return to sports after the pandemic because they have been left destitute.
Going forward, he said football, for example, should be able to resume in a month’s time but behind closed doors.
“This is what we call the ‘new normal’. Sports can resume under very strict health supervision and circumstances otherwise, we would wait forever,” he stated.
He urged the GOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) to also set up a special fund for athletes.
He advised athletes to remain safe and continue training while respecting social distancing protocols as they wait for the pandemic to end.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
The Board of Directors of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club on Sunday, July 5, 2026, inspected the club’s technical centre at Kpobiman as preparations for the new season gather pace.
The visit was to assess the facility, identify urgent areas needing attention before players return for pre-season, and review progress on the club’s restructured academy system.
When fully operational, the Hearts Africa Football Academy will be the permanent home for Hearts of Oak’s youth teams, Under-19, Under-17, and Under-15.
The new integrated model is designed to create a clear pathway for player development and will make Hearts one of the first Ghana Premier League clubs with a full residential academy.
Beyond football, Kpobiman will also serve as the club’s new administrative headquarters.
The current office at the Commercial Centre will relocate as part of the plan to have all football operations in one place.
Speaking during the inspection, Board Chairman and Majority Shareholder Togbe Afede XIV described the academy as a landmark investment. He was impressed with the progress but stressed the need for proper maintenance.
He tasked Managing Director Julius Ben Emunah and management to maintain a strong maintenance culture.
Togbe Afede XIV also assured that remaining work, including an on-site hotel, event centre, finishing of courts, mini stadium, dressing rooms, and other infrastructure will be completed.
He said Kpobiman will become one of Ghana’s finest football development centres.
Board members present included Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, Akwesi Agyeman, Vincent Sowah Odotei, Samuel Inkoom, Alhaji Hussein Sulemana, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Julius Ben Emunah.
The Board expressed confidence that completing the project and the new academy structure will build a strong foundation for sustainable player development.
The Kpobiman facility features world-class amenities including a 108-bed dormitory, staff bungalows, gym, swimming pool, golf course, tennis and padel courts, basketball court, mini stadium, two natural grass pitches, and a floodlit artificial turf.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has urged the Black Stars to learn from their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and stay focused on upcoming assignments after Ghana’s defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
Addressing the team after the game at Kansas City Stadium, Hon. Adams praised the squad’s performance despite the exit.
“We have what it takes to partake in every World Cup and get out of the group stages and even go further,” he said.
The minister added that “So, we didn’t make it. Our wish was that we would have carried the day. But we played so well and I believe we don’t regret we went in. Everybody is congratulating us that we have a good team. It means you exhibited something good on the pitch.”
The Sports Minister called on the players to treat mistakes made in the tournament as lessons for the future.
“What we need is, the very few mistakes that we made becomes a learning platform for all of us. You become a better player of yourself in the various roles that you play in the team. It should not dampen you,” he said.
Mr. Adams echoed Coach Carlos Queiroz’s team-first philosophy and reminded the players that national duty continues with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers ahead.
He added, “Like the coach said, he has a team and not individual skilful players. So, we came as a team, we played as a team, we are returning as a team. And to continue our individual careers also. So, it is not the end of international competitions. We are going to be calling on you, and you would have to be responding to these calls for the various qualifiers that are ahead of us.”
He also had a message for the players regarding public reaction to the team’s exit.
“The country is grateful for what we have done. Let’s learn lessons out of whatever situation that arose and brought us to this point. I know as we leave here, those of you who love to go on social media, you will see all manner of postings and all manner of analysis and all manner of criticisms,” he said.
“Please and please, you are professional ballers. Let no such comment dampen anyone. If for anything, it should motivate you to do more. Those who are watching, they will do their own analysis. Don’t let it dampen any one of you. It should motivate you to be a better person of yourselves,” he advised.
“You came as a team, you have played as a team, you have done what we can do and we have reached this point. We are grateful for the service you rendered the country and the country is grateful.” The Minister added.
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