SWAG appeals to government

Accra, Aug 3, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has appealed to the government to assist in its bid to site the secretariat of the Africa Sports Journalists Union (ASJU) in Ghana.
He said in this regards SWAG would seek the support of government as they have also been mandated by the Association of International Sports Press (AIPS) to reorganise the moribund ASJU.
Mr. Quansah in an address at the 28th Annual Awards Night celebration of SWAG said with the vibrant nature of the sporting press in Ghana it would not be difficult for government to convince fellow African countries to support the sitting of the ASJU secretariat in Ghana. He the SWAG is liaising with the Moroccan Sports Writers Association to help in the re-organisation of ASJU.
Mr. Quansah said the assignment given to SWAG shows the confidence SWAG has internationally meaning that, members have to be more professional by respecting the code of ethics of the profession
The president however stated that in the near future it might be difficult to practice sports journalism in Ghana without being a member of SWAG.
He explained that at the last AIPS Congress held in Portugal, it was decided that member associations should work towards making AIPS cards the only accredited means of covering sporting events. Mr. Quansah slammed the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) for over stepping its bounds and getting actively involved in the administration of football in the country.
"SWAG believes that the original idea, which gave birth to GHALCA as an association of club chairmen is to make sure that those that put their money into football are not abused," Mr. Qunasah noted.
"The sordid case where GHALCA organizes friendly matches for the senior national team, the Black Stars and declaring a loss at the end ought to be thoroughly investigated," he added.
Mr. Quansah said there is the need for a review of the constitution of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to reflect the modern trend in the game's administration.
"The situation where a 30-man Executive Council comprising mainly hangers- on supervising the management of football in the country is unacceptable" The SWAG president said.
He said Ghana football in a sad spectacle as it finished last in a group made up of countries such as Rwanda and Uganda who were at the lowest stage of the games development when it was first played under moonlight at Cape Coast in 1903.