SWAG grateful to President and sponsors

Accra, Aug. 5, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana on Tuesday expressed its gratitude to all those who aided the association to make the 28th SWAG Award Ceremony at the State Banquet Hall in Accra, a resounding success.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by its President, Mr Ebo Quansah, said the SWAG was particularly grateful to President John Agyekum Kufuor for taking time off his very heavy schedule to inspire Ghanaian sportsmen and women.

"That the Head of State chose the platform offered by the SWAG to re-launch Ghana sports, is indicative of the President's confidence in the association".

The association said the policy statement outlined by the President will go a long way to take Ghana sports out of the doldrums and invited the Ministry of Youth, Educational and Sports and National Sports Council to bring President Kufuor's vision of Ghana sports into fruition by applying themselves to the task involved.

"We are delighted by the announcement that the Ghana Education Service has re-instated physical education as a compulsory subject. The decision to make the subject optional was one major contributory factor towards the decline of sports in the country generally."

The statement invited sports authorities to address the issue of corruption in sports administration, which the President spoke about.

"Currently, there are a number of probe reports and their white papers gathering dust at the ministry. We are of the firm view that addressing the concerns raised in these reports and their white papers would be a very important reference points in addressing corruption in sports administration".

The statement said SWAG had never been a keen admirer of the 2008 African Cup of Nations because "we prefer the All-Africa Games in the sense that it would help update facilities for all disciplines of sports. But since the head of State has assured the nation of the government's determination to provide facilities as part of the CAN 2008 bid, the SWAG is inviting sports authorities to factor infrastructure for other games in the construction of new stadiums and the renovation of Accra and Kumasi Stadiums".

The statement warned the National Sports Council to desist from sending tourists to the All-Africa Games in Abuja.

"We will like to believe the NSC will send only sportsmen and women who measure up to the standards at the All-Africa Games in Abuja. "In our HIPC situation, it would amount to financial loss to the state if sportsmen and women would be sent to the Games as tourist instead of serious competitors", it warned.

The association thanked all sponsors and donors for their contribution towards the success of the awards nite but singled Western Union Money Transfer, Akosombo Textiles Limited, Nestle Ghana Limited, Budget Cash and Carry, Bamson company Limited, Mid-West Company Limited, Parlays Biscuits, Effects Media House Limited and many others whose contributions made it possible for the SWAG to honour its obligation to Ghanaian sportsmen and women.