The government has acquired a parcel of land at Tamale to construct a new stadium in anticipation of Ghana's bid to host the African Nations Cup in 2008.

The requisite drawings for the redesigning of the Kaneshie Sports Complex, a possible venue for the 2008 ambitious bid have also been completed and submitted to the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited for study and approval.

Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs who announced this at Dansoman, Accra, during this year's Accra Milo Marathon, said the renovation of the hostel facilities and upgrading of Sports College at Winneba was in progress.

He said as part of government's effort at improving sports facilities in the country, a machinery had been put in place to procure the necessary equipment, engage efficient personnel and construct modern infrastructure like stadiums, playing fields and halls, hockey pitches and modern tartan tracks for athletics.

The Minister also announced that an Olympics-size swimming pool at the Accra Sports Stadium would be rehabilitated for use, to safeguard the huge investment already sunk into the project.

He said prospective investors were being sought to adopt the project on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) terms. "This is not easy, considering the Sate of the economy. In spite of all the odds facing us, I wish to assure you that government will not shirk its responsibility to put the smiles back on the faces of all Ghanaians in the area of sports development," the minister said.

He urged all stakeholders in the private sector to emulate the sterling example of Nestle Ghana Limited, sponsors of the Accra Milo Marathon to assist in "this national crusade of sports development and promotion."