Govt to utilise technical cooperation agreements for sports devt

Accra, Sept. 21, GNA 96 The government is determined to derive maximum benefits from its technical agreements with friendly nations towards the development of sports in the country.

Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports reiterated the government's position when he spoke to the GNA Sports about the ministry's plans to rejuvenate the technical base of sports in the country.

He said in line with the government's aspirations, technical cooperation agreements were being renewed with some countries and his ministry would exploit such contracts to re-train coaches, athletes and administrators for the accelerated development of sports in the country. The Minister cited the renewal of such agreements with Cuba and Brazil in the recent past, adding that Ghana would soon benefit from them and many others, which were on the drawing board.

On specifics, Mr Amoah said arrangements had been concluded for a Cuban boxing coach to arrive in the country to invigorate the technical department of the Black Bombers, while the President returned from Brazil with opportunities for Ghana to benefit from areas where the South American country excels in sports.

He named soccer, volleyball, athletics, basketball and handball as some of the high performance disciplines of Brazil for which they had agreed to offer Ghana enhancement assistance. The minister said his sector was still talking to many other embassies with the hope of fostering technical development links with them and emphasised that the government would bring up such proposals at every fora as a major issue.

On Can 2008, Mr Amoah said a delegation would depart Accra on October 9 to Germany to meet with the LOC of Germany 2006 to dilate on organisational issues as it was the will of government to stage a tournament that would be totally flawless.