President John Dramani Mahama has announced that government is working to strengthen youth and university sports systems to ensure talented athletes are identified, developed and supported to reach professional levels.
Speaking when he received the University for Development Studies football team at the Presidency, President Mahama said the Ministry of Sports and Recreation is working with the Ministry of Education on the initiative.
“My government, through the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Ministry of Education, is working to strengthen youth and university sports systems to ensure that talented students or athletes like you are identified, developed and supported to reach professional levels,” he said.
The President announced that government is setting up the School Sports Authority which will concentrate on sports from the basic level to the secondary level to the university level.
“We are setting up the School Sports Authority, which will concentrate on sports from the basic level to the secondary level to the university level. And so it’s going to have a separate budget and it will hold constant competitions amongst universities and secondary schools so that we can identify the talents early and bring them into the national teams,” he stated.
He noted that sports and recreation are part of Ghana’s RESET agenda as they promote national unity, discipline and social inclusion while creating pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
“Sports and recreation are integral to Ghana’s RESET agenda. They promote national unity, discipline and social inclusion while creating pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship,” he said.
President Mahama stated that government’s goal is to develop a new ecosystem where sports is seen not only as entertainment but as a viable sector contributing to Ghana’s economic growth.
“Our goal, therefore, is to develop a new ecosystem where sports is seen not only as entertainment but as a viable sector contributing to Ghana’s economic growth,” he added.
He announced that government is investing in sports infrastructure, talent development programmes and recreational facilities across schools and communities.
“We are therefore investing in sports infrastructure, talent development programmes and recreational facilities across schools and communities, ensuring that young people everywhere can discover and nurture their potential,” he said.
The President revealed that government is building a standard sports stadium in every region with all the facilities.
“One of the things we are doing is we are building a standard sports stadium in every region with all the facilities so that schools and other sports talents can always go and get good first class training facilities,” he stated.
President Mahama was speaking after the UDS football team won the World University Football Games by beating Brazil in the final.
He congratulated the team for bringing immense pride and glory to Ghana by winning the tournament.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Ghana I extend warm congratulations to you, your coaches and the entire UDS community for this extraordinary achievement on the global stage,” he said.
The President noted that the victory demonstrates Ghana’s growing reputation in global sports and the depth of talent the country possesses.
“This victory is not only a win for UDS, it is a statement that Ghanaian youth can compete and excel anywhere in the world when given the right opportunity and support,” he added.