Sports
Overcoming sponsorship fatigue in sports
Speaking to top sports administrators in Ghana over the innumerable challenges facing sports administration, one concern rings across, and that is sponsorship.
Sponsorship, the world over is the backbone of sports development and promotion.
A federation or major sanctioning bodies may have the most skillful hands in terms of personnel but without sponsorship, their plans would remain stuck in their books.
Federations with huge budgets and fat sponsorship deals like football, athletics etc, are touted as the most successful federations.
It is not always the case that those below that level lacked qualified personnel to plan; the truth is that without sponsorship, no discipline can rival the likes of football and athletics for example.
It is a global challenge; Ghana is no exception.
Fact is, a number of the sports federations here have failed to break out due to the lack of sponsorship deals and the truth is that, they may not be able to reach certain heights without it.
Barely six months in office as Sports and Recreation Minister, Mr Kofi Iddi Adams, has identified this huge funding gap and has been encouraging companies to partner government to develop sports.
During a visit to the Borteyman Sports Complex to watch an International Tennis Federation (ITF) juniors event, Mr Adams urged the private sector players to be involved in the organisation of sports in the country because government alone cannot shoulder that responsibility.
“Public-Private-Partnerships is one sure way to sustain such essential developmental initiatives and I believe the coming on board of more corporate bodies would help in that light,” Mr Adams said during his interaction with the media during the visit.As an ardent follower of sports, that is surely the way to go in the wake of what appeared a sponsorship fatigue among the private sector partners.
In the past, companies like Mobil Ghana, Nestle Ghana Limited, Ghana Brewery Limited and many others became so synonymous with sports as a result of their connection to the industry.
Through Mobil’s support for athletics, Ghana produced a lot of great athletes that performed at the highest stage of the sport while Nestle with its Milo brand helped unearth long distant runners through the Milo Marathon organised by the Dansoman Keep Fit Club and the Milo championship for tennis.
When they exited, other companies filled their shoes but sadly, those relationships have not been sustained and over the years, they have gone into hibernation.
Sponsorships of this nature are huge financial drains on these corporate sector players and for that matter, such calls does not produce the harmonious notes they want to hear.
Most of these companies that have expressed interest in partnering government in that direction have also complained about economic challenges and the absence of tax rebates.
From this, one gathers that there is the need for a common ground or some compromise for the sports sector to begin to attract these companies.
Sports no doubt has become a big business, providing varied platforms for a lot of the youth to get their daily bread and also, feed their families.
Obviously with the numbers it commands, it should be easier to attract the corporate sector support but since they are not coming, it’s clearly shows that there is a missing link.
This is the reason why the Minister of Sports and Recreation’s call for the involvement of the corporate sector must not be a rhetoric just as it has been with previous ministers that occupied the role.
This should be the time to walk the talk. Efforts must be made to identify some of these organisation with the wherewithal to support, get to know their frustrations with sports and why they shy away.
It would also be appropriate to know their expectation in such partnerships so that a win-win situation would be achieved at the end of the day.
From the side of the sports administrators, they must prove their professional capabilities and run the federations transparently to erase doubts about their operations.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Armwrestling: Immigration, Prisons meet African champions
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) in separate ceremonies have welcomed officers of both security institutions who recently returned from Abuja, Nigeria after participating in the 14th Africa Armwrestling Championship.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr. Patience Baffoe Bonnie, and the leadership of the Service, were present to congratulate the champions, Daniel Acquah (four gold medals), Mabel Yeboah (four gold medals) and Henry Otoo (two silver, two bronze), on their impressive performances.
The champions presented their medals to the Director-General, and shared their experiences and insights with the top officials.
During the meeting, the Director-General of the GPS, Mrs Baffoe Bonnie, expressed her excitement about the potential benefits of sports for inmates.
She noted that sports could play a significant role in rehabilitation and pledged to support the development of armwrestling within the prisons service.
In a related development, the Comptroller-General of the GIS, CGI Samuel Basintale, commended his members – Edward Yamoah Asamoah (two gold medals), Blessed Abeka Nunoo (one gold, one silver, two bronze), Godwin Sackey (one gold, one silver) and referee Nii Otoo Larkyne, for the feat.
Mr Basintale promised to provide support for the development of armwrestling within the service, including training facilities, equipment, and sponsorship.
The African Armwrestling champions from the security services won a total of 20 medals out of Ghana’s 55 medal haul.
They expressed gratitude and promised to continue promoting the sport and inspiring others to take up armwrestling.
Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President for Ghana Armwrestling Federation, was thrilled by the promise and continuous collaborations and support for the development of armwrestling in Ghana by the security services.
—GNA
Sports
TTU to honour athletes at 2nd sports awards night
Takoradi Technical University (TTU) will tonight host its 2nd Sports Awards Night to honour outstanding athletes, teams, and contributors who have promoted the institution’s sporting reputation.
The event, which will take place at the Nicholas Aidoo Taylor Auditorium, will be chaired by Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, with Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, as Guest of Honour.
Other dignitaries expected include Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, and Municipal Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Abdul Majeed Dokurgu.
TTU said the awards will celebrate a year marked by exceptional performances, record-breaking moments, and contributions that have boosted both the competitive spirit and institutional pride of the university.
The ceremony will be held under the theme, “Recognising Excellence in Scholarship and Sportsmanship.”
The university noted that it has become a powerhouse in university sports, winning back-to-back championships at the GHATUSA Games in Tamale and Cape Coast.
It attributed the success to integrating sports into academic life, introducing sports scholarships, building the TTU Sports Complex, providing strategic funding, and offering strong logistical support.
Director of Public Affairs and Secretary to the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Mensah Oti-Asirifi, said the awards go beyond recognising individual winners, adding that they are also a tribute to the discipline, resilience, and unity that define TTU’s sporting culture.
He stated that every nominee is a champion whose efforts have brought pride to the university and enhanced its reputation on both national and continental stages.
The programme will feature two segments of award presentations, with categories covering football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, tennis, handball, badminton, athletics, scrabble, and taekwondo, for both male and female divisions.
Nominees include Jane Membong in athletics, Hajara Ibrahim in basketball, Samuel Aidoo in football, and Prince Egyir in handball, as well as Papa Kwansa Baidoo, Prince Davies, and Ahmed Anas Salis.
Special awards will also be presented to individuals whose contributions have inspired the TTU community beyond the field of competition.
Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Danso, said the planning team has worked to ensure the event captures the spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, and unity that characterise TTU sports.
The university recalled that the inaugural edition honoured Raymond French, Sarah Quansah, and Rebecca Mba, setting a high standard for sporting recognition.
By: Jacob Aggrey
