Accra, Jan. 14, GNA - University of Ghana (UG), Legon, would from th= e 2011/2012 academic year, run a sports credit module as a concession for sports students. The move is to give special consideration to professional sportsmen an= d women who travel to participate in sporting activities when the academic calendar is in progress.

Dr Emanuel Owusu-Ansah, Director of Sports of the University announced these on Friday in an address at the 62nd Annual New Year School organised by the Institute of Continuing and Distance Education of the UG. He observed that such sports professionals lost out on academic activities while they were away plying their trade and the trend needs to b= e changed for the benefit of the sportsmen and women. Dr Owusu-Ansah said the University remained committed towards providin= g concessionary admission for sportsmen and women to upgrade themselves and t= o empower them for life.

He underscored the importance of harnessing the potential of youths fo= r political and economic development.

Speaking on the topic 93Youth and Sports," Dr Owusu-Ansah said spor= ts needed to be taught from the kindergarten level to prepare the children for the future. "We must encourage them not to play only competitive games, but to allow them to express themselves through sports for preparation for the future," he said. Dr Owusu-Ansah called for a national policy to mainstream sports education in the school curriculum.

Ms Rosalind Amoh, a sports journalist of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, expressed worry that the country did not honour its sports professionals, particularly women, who had contributed immensely towards th= e development of sports. "Society and communities treat sportsmen and women badly such that t= hey decide to live quiet lives," she said. Ms Amoh said if the situation did not change, Ghana would be deprived of highly skilled sports professionals.