By Patrick Cofie
Accra, Nov. 30, GNA – The Ghana Cricket Association has said Ayekoo to an individual and two institutions for their efforts in promoting cricket in the country.
The expression of gratitude were made after Mr Emmanuel Owusu- Ansah Asare, the President Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) received various cricket items from Mr Rajinder Parsad of Moon Beam Colours Limited at the Achimota Cricket Oval.
Speaking in Achimota to a gathering of the Ghana Cricket National Team and other cricket enthusiasts after receiving the items, Mr Asare said the inability to source sufficient sponsorship for the activities of the Ghana Cricket Association has been a challenge.
We do get some from a few corporate bodies, he said, but our current economic situation is making such efforts quite challenging.
Over the years, Mr Asare said, some of our basic support has come from GCB, Ghana Gas and some well- meaning individuals and being part of the International Cricket Council we have earmarked some activities to help drive the growth of cricket in the country.
We are building a viable league for males and females and in various age groups; we are also developing more facilities to train those interested in the sport and it is based on these collective efforts that a quality and winning team can be selected.
This means, he said, schools have to be visited, clubs have to be well structured and maintained, procedures have to be followed and expectations have to be met.
After the donation, Mr Asare in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said various activities have also been initiated by the GCA to ensure a successful hosting of the 2023 African Cricket Games.
More so, he said, every sporting association thrives on sponsorship and this is because such associations are registered as Non Governmental Associations and hence, depend on sponsors for the success of their activities.
Mr Asare said there is the need to partner with corporate entities to undertake various activities including: building facilities, attending to medical, clothing and other basic needs, transportation and sporting equipment etc.
He paid glowing tribute to Mr Rajinder Parsad popularly known as “Sharma” who since 2012, has played various helpful roles for the GCA as he is currently the coach of the national team.
And we at GCA, Mr Asare said, want to use this opportunity (through the GNA) to tell the public of what “Sharma” has done for GCA.
The donation, he said, was timely as they are the bare logistics we needed before we embark for a tournament in Rwanda, and as we prepare for the 2023 Cricket African Games.
Mr Asare also said Ayekoo to Achimota School who has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the GCA on the use of their cricket oval and this is in addition to a similar MOU signed between the GCA and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for the use of their facility at Obuasi.
Like Albert Pike once said “what we have done for ourselves alone, dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal”; and this I say to all our benevolent sponsors, Mr Asare said.
GNA