By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), Jan 17, GNA-Some sports enthusiasts in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have urged President John Dramani Mahama to nominate someone, who prioritise all forms of sports to hold the ministerial position for sports and recreation.
This, they said, would help uplift the standard of sporting activities, which include athletic boxing, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, handball, beach soccer and other indoor sporting games.
Mr Felix Apedo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oly Sports Consult, a scouting and sports promoting firm at Keta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed optimism that any Minister nominee designate for sports would be an all-rounder to help improve sports in the country.
“For me l can’t propose anyone, but my hope is that President Mahama will nominate a sports minister who understand sports in general and would help nurture and unearth many talents in the various field of sports for brighter future,” he said.
He said that expectations were high in sports ministry, whilst many youths have been engaged in various sporting activities, which needed more investment by the government for improvement and progress.
Mr Apedo said that many talented youths in Keta, Anloga, Aflao, Akatsi, Ho and other communities in the Volta Region and beyond in other lesser-known sporting activities such as athletic, basketball, handball, volleyball, swimming, cycling, among others needed to be supported to attain their potentials in life.
“Previously, we saw many sports ministers, who only prioritise football for that matter Black Stars, without giving equal attention to other sports and that has affected the nation greatly in global sporting competition and l pray that could not repeat.”
Mr Anthony Dotsey, a sports fan at Anlo-Afiadenyigba, told the GNA, that the next sports minister should improve sports in various levels of education, starting from the Basic schools to the Universities to unearth young talents, and nurture them for the future.
He said that the love for sports in the country had declined drastically due to lack of investment and needed urgent attention to address all the challenges faced to curb the menace.
Charity Agbeko, an athlete, appealed to President Mahama to nominate a Minister, who would help many athletes in the country and focus on improving all aspects of sports.
Some other sports fans GNA engaged said that the next sports minister should help improve Beach Soccer as well as national beach Soccer team, the Black Sharks “since there are many talents here in the sports but they have been ignored for far too long.”
They further commended the President for the nomination made so far with Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza and Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie as Ministers designate for Roads and Highways as well as Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, respectively, from the Volta region
GNA