By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Nungua, June 19, GNA — Some residents of Nungua Addogono have appealed to the government to put measures in place that encourage corporate institutions and public agencies to identify, support, and invest in sports activities within local communities, with the aim of nurturing and developing grassroots talents.
According to them, many young people in the community possess exceptional sporting abilities but lack the support, training opportunities, and exposure needed to reach their full potential.
They told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that a well-coordinated talent development system would not only transform the lives of young athletes but also contribute to national sports development, saying that investment in the local players a few years back could have done the country good in the World Cup.
The residents said creating sustainable talent identification and development systems would help communities produce future national and international sports stars, adding that such initiatives would not only benefit individuals but also strengthen Ghana’s sports sector and enhance the country’s reputation in international competitions.
Mr Emmanuel Tetteh, a resident and youth advocate, said many talented young people in the area were unable to progress because there are few organised scouting and training programmes.
“We have many young boys and girls who are gifted in football, athletics, boxing, and other sports; unfortunately, most of them do not get the opportunity to showcase their talents.”
The authorities must put proper structures in place and allow some big companies in the country to identify and nurture these talents from an early age, like they did in the past.
Mr Tetteh noted that talent development should begin at the community level and be supported by schools and sports associations.
Madam Grace Mensah, a retired teacher, emphasised the role of educational institutions in discovering sports talents, saying that “schools are the best places to identify young athletes; if physical education and inter-school competitions are strengthened, many hidden talents can be discovered and developed as it was done in the past,” she said.
She added that sports could serve as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and help reduce social challenges such as unemployment and crime.
Mr Daniel Nartey, a phone accessories dealer, said Ghana has produced many successful athletes who started from humble backgrounds; as such, regular tournaments must be organised in communities like Addogono so more young people could be identified and supported to succeed.
According to him, investments in grassroots sports would yield long-term benefits for the country and increase community participation since most of the players and athletes would be known in the community, and he called for stronger collaboration between local authorities and sports organisations.
“Talent alone is not enough; young athletes need proper coaching, facilities, equipment, and mentorship. Without these, many promising talents may never achieve their potential,” he explained.
Mr Kofi Kwao, an engineer, urged corporate institutions and private organisations to support community sports programmes as part of their social responsibility initiatives and expressed concern about the limited opportunities available to young athletes.
“Many parents are willing to support their children, but they often lack resources, so if there are structured programmes supported by the authorities, parents will feel more confident encouraging their children to participate in sports,” he said.
He noted that sports could create educational and career opportunities for young people while promoting discipline and teamwork.
Meanwhile, Master Joseph Annan, a young football enthusiast, appealed directly to sports authorities to pay more attention to grassroots’ development.
According to the residents, investing in young talents today is an investment in the future success of Ghanaian sports and the development of communities nationwide.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Elizabeth Larkwor Baah, GNA