The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kintampo North, Joseph Kumah, has launched a passionate appeal to the government and national leadership to establish a legacy sporting facility in Kintampo.

Arguing that the municipality sits at the literal and metaphorical heart of the nation, the MP believes that infrastructure in the region is the key to unlocking a new generation of Ghanaian athletic excellence while finally honouring the icons who put Kintampo on the global map.

The call comes on the heels of the recent passage of the Sports Development Fund Bill, a move Kumah described as a "laudable" step toward sustainable athletic growth.

During his contribution to the parliamentary statement by the Minister of Sports, the MP put his own resources on the line, pledging 30,000 Ghana Cedis over the next three months to the fund as a gesture of commitment to the cause.

The push for a multipurpose stadium is rooted deeply in the rich history of Kintampo, a town that has birthed some of the most decorated names in African sports history.

Kumah and local advocates pointed to the legendary Dogo Moro, often cited as the greatest sweeper in African football history, and Baba Yara, the "King of Wingers" whose name graces the Kumasi Sports Stadium but remains without a matching tribute in his own birthplace.

"Mr Speaker, coming from the center of the country, where Dogo Moro and Baba Yara hail from, I know the importance of sports and its infrastructural need," Kumah stated.

"We need to leave a legacy for Baba Yara, Dogo Moro, and Kwasi Owusu. I am making this passionate donation so that in future, any sports infrastructure be thought of for Kintampo North."

The proposal highlights a long list of Kintampo-born stars, including 1995 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner Baba Musah, former Black Stars captain Kwasi Owusu and modern athletic champions like Israel Anane Dome, who recently secured gold at the 13th All-Africa Games.

Local data suggests that athletes from Kintampo contribute nearly 25% to the National Athletics team, despite the lack of professional training grounds.

While basic pitches have become common, the people of Kintampo are demanding more than a standard AstroTurf.

They are calling for a professional-grade multipurpose stadium that can serve as a scouting hub for the middle belt and the Bono regions, effectively decentralizing sports development from Accra.

The proposal emphasizes that Kintampo’s unique geography once considered a candidate for Ghana’s second capital makes it the ideal location for a regional sporting hub.

"The position of Kintampo as the center of Ghana requires and deserves more attention than it's receiving now," the proposal reads.

"A stadia in Kintampo will significantly change the economic status of the town and serve as a vehicle to drive development, reducing rural-urban migration and curbing social vices among the youth."

The appeal is directed at the highest levels of government and political leadership, specifically calling on the Minister of Sports, Regional Ministers, and the leadership of the NDC, including John Dramani Mahama and former First Lady Lordina Mahama, to support the "Reset Agenda" for the municipality.

By investing in a multipurpose facility, stakeholders believe the government can "approach them young," identifying footballers and runners at the grassroots level to catapult them onto the international stage.

The MP reaffirmed his plea with a vision of a transformed municipality, "So that the lower level, we approach them young that will catapult into economic growth and youth empowerment. We want to build the center of a nation we all want."

AM

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the 'dark side of Kayamata' and its devastating impact