Kumasi, March 29, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor and 17 others were on Saturday honoured by the Sports Union of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi for their immense contribution to sports development in the country.

A citation accompanying a shield which read, "Your tenure of office saw Ghana achieve a breakthrough in most sporting disciplines due to the institution of proactive programmes", was received on behalf of the former President by Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia.

It added "We commend you for the motivation you gave Ghanaian athletes which gingered them to strive for excellence in their fields of endeavour".

The 17 other award winners included technocrats, corporate institutions and students were also honoured for their varied roles in raising the standards of sports at the KNUST and the nation in general. They were also presented with certificates, plaques and souvenirs. Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwah, Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST in a speech read on his behalf at the ceremony, praised the Sports Union for instituting the awards.

He said sports has the potential of changing the future of the youth for the better and called on corporate bodies to invest in it. Mr Kwaku Prempeh, Head Coach of the University appealed to student-athletes to be disciplined at all times for the realization of their God-given talents.

Dr Opoku-Prempeh on behalf of the awards winners thanked the University for the honour done them and said it would urge them on to strive for greater heights. 29 March 09