Over concentration of sporting activities in Accra is inimical.

Sports News of Thursday, 5 February 2015

Source: Listowell Yesu Bukarson

Stakeholders in Sports in the Ashanti Region have expressed grave concerns over the over-concentration of sporting activities in the nation’s capital of Accra.

This they believe is severally inimical to the absolute development of sports across the country.

These concerns were raised at a stakeholder’s brainstorming session for sports in Kumasi.

Organized by Kumasi-based sports consortium, Authentic Sports, the rear event brought together participants from the Regional executives of the Ghana Football Association, Referees Association of Ghana, Coaches Association of Ghana, Match Commissioners Association of Ghana, National Sports Authority, Sports journalists, Athletes, among others.

They were disgusted that, even successive governments have over the years concentrated on football at the sheer expense of the other 30 or more sporting disciplines under the National Sports Authority.

“The massive expenditure on football at the expense of other disciplines is in many ways is extremely de-motivating to some of us in other disciplines”, one of the participants fumed.

“How is it possible that, nine out of the ten athletes for the last All African games were from this Region and yet the coach who accompanied the team was selected from Accra? Is this not a clear case of preference against the sport of Athletics in the Region?” Another from athletics lamented.

The participants lauded the initiative for the brainstorming session which was sponsored by Latex Foam Rubber Products Limited, asking for more of such collaborations.

“We are extremely thanks for this brainstorming platform. We are grateful to Latex foam for offering sponsorship to making this a reality” Some of them said.

The event was to gather ideas towards a major Sports workshop to be held in the Region soon.

The Deputy Chief Accountant at Latex Foam Rubber Products Limited, Mr. Vincent Akutsah, pledged the company’s commitment to the total development of sports in the Region.

“Latex Foam is committed to sports, not only in the Ashanti Region but the nation at large and we are bent on doing more towards the development of sports” he assured.

“Fact that Latex foam sponsors, the senior national team, the Black Stars, Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC, Asokwa Deportivo among others is ample testimony of our interest in sports and we are bent of doing more” He added.

Emphasizing that, “brainstorming sessions like this are very rear but that’s where the ideas for the absolute progress of sports are natured and we are proud to be associated with this great idea”

Mr. Akutsah commended Authentic Sports for mooting the idea and charged the participants to take advantage of such brilliant ideas.

He assured that Latex Foam will be a part of the major workshop on sports to be organized by Authentic Sports.

Latex foam presented products including mattresses and pillows to the participants.