Government to boost sports

Accra, March 5, GNA - The Ministry of Youth and Sports will develop, promote and organise a mass of amateur and professional sports in the country to put Ghana high on the world map of sports. In this regard, the Ministry will initiate the process of developing a comprehensive sports policy and related legislation to regularize and guide sports administration and development in Ghana.

This was announced by the Minister of Finance Dr Kwabena Duffuor in the government's 2009 budget statement presented to parliament on Thursday. He said the Ministry would partner the Ghana Football Association and other stakeholders to ensure a second appearance at 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa of the Black Stars.

In the same vein the Black Satellites will be supported to participate in the FIFA World Cup in Egypt this year.

Similarly, the Ghana Hockey Association will also be supported to host 2009 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations which will be staged in Ghana. Dr Duffuor said the Ministry would continue constructional works on the Cape Coast Sports Stadium and the process of acquiring land for the construction of regional stadia will also be pursued.

"As a matter of urgency the Ministry will revamp school sports to identify and nurture sports talents in the schools to support the national teams. In addition, programmes on various sports academies will be reviewed to combat the exploitation of youth in sports."

Dr Duffuor said for the implementation of the activities, an amount of GH¢91,232,823 had been allocated. Out of this, GoG is GH ¢89,912,823 and IGF is GH A21,320,000.