Bad nature of track is affecting sponsorship-GAA boss

Accra, Oct 20, GNA - Mr George Lutterodt, Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), has said the bad nature of the two tartan tracks in the country is affecting the drive for sponsorship for the sport.

Speaking to the GNA Sports in an interview, Mr Lutterodt said the present nature of the tartan tracks at Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadium neither attract nor motivate corporate bodies to make investments in athletics.

Mr Lutterodt said all corporate bodies seek benefits from investment they make and the GAA is therefore finding it difficult to convince them to get involved in organising such athletic meetings because they might not be able to recoup their investments or promote their corporate image.

The chairman said until the tracks are put in good shape it would be difficult to organise any such competitive event in the country, capable of attracting both local and foreign athletes where a selection would be made for the national team.

He said the amount involved in constructing a new track is so huge that the association can hardly do anything about the situation saying, " it is the responsibility of the government to help in this direction."

Mr Lutterodt said they are now looking up to the government to made good its promise at this years SWAG awards night to construct the tartan tracks with a Spanish grant at the two stadiums.

On the performance of the athletics team at the just ended All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, the chairman said the output at the Games is far better than what happened at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

He said the performance of the team is an indication of better things to happen to Ghana's athletics in future if the right structures are put in place.

Ghana's athletic team won the highest medals at the just ended All Africa Games by winning four gold, three silver and six bronze, a total of 13 medals.