GES and GHA Strengthen Ties to Develop Hockey

The Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) have forged a closer relation in their efforts to develop the game of hockey in the country, using the second cycle institutions as a starting point.

This was made evident when officials of the GHA for the first time in the history GES event, joined in the celebration of the National Inter-Regional Inter Schools and Colleges Sports Festival in Ho from September 7-15, 2003. In support of the organization of the festival, the GHA presented some equipment to the GES as prizes to deserving hockey players in both the boys and girls divisions.

In a message delivered on behalf of the Chairman of the GHA, the Coordinating member of the Association Nii Quaye-Kumah, recalled that the history of World hockey could be traced back to schools in the United Kingdom. He also recalled with nostalgia how schools hockey in Ghana has in the past produced some fine athletes for the country.

The Coordinating member indicated that the GHA was working feverishly to bring back the glorious days of Ghana’s hockey success on the African continent and on the World stage. He mentioned that in pursuance of this, the GHA has initiated discussions with the GES to reach an understanding on how to proceed. The Coordinating indicated that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the African Hockey Federation (AHF) have shown a lot of interest in the hockey development programs Ghana is undertaking and their willingness to commit resources to these programs. He mentioned that the GHA and the FIH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a grant to procure basic equipment for a pilot schools development program starting 2003.

In receiving the equipment, the Chairman of the National Schools and Colleges Sports Federation, Mr. E. A. Kissiedu, thanked the GHA and pledged the GES’ commitment to work with the Association to develop the sport in the country.