Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Sports, has emphasized the need for the National Sports College at Winneba, to have quality infrastructure and facilities, to make it one of the best centres of excellence in the sub region, to train sports men and women as well as coaches.
He pointed out that if the place is developed and all the structures are in place, it will attract both local and external sports personalities to patronize the place to build their capacities to unearth their talents so far as sports is concerned.
Mr Ayariga made the call when, accompanied by some officials from his Ministry, he paid a day’s working visit to the National Sports College, in order to be well informed about condition of the infrastructure and facilities at the College, and to see how best the place can be revamped to befit the status of a National Sports College.
According to the Minister, his concern is the quality of facility to be utilized for training and development of sports in the country, adding that, with the information he has gathered, he will come out within the next three months with modalities and suggestion that would help develop the College.
Professor Asabere-Ameyaw Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, who hosted the Minister, said the Legislative Instrument that set up the University mandated it to establish Colleges as well, and suggested that, since Sports is one of the activities they carry and the Sports College is also situated on the same environment with them, a committee should be set up, bring on board the University Authorities, and come out with plans to help shape the College.
Mr. Joe Kpenge, Director of the Sport College, earlier took the Minister and his entourage including authorities of UEW round the premises, during which the Minister interacted with football teams at the College.
Mr. Kpenge disclosed that the College has a numerical staff strength of 57, and added that if the place is well developed, it will attract more sport men and women to patronize facilities to build their capacities.