The first Post-2020 Olympic Games Workshop ended at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) main campus at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho on Friday with a call on stakeholders in the sports sector to adopt a scientific approach to sports development as a matter of priority.
The two-day event was organised by the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM) of UHAS in collaboration with the National Sports Authority (NSA), for members of the Ghana Olympic Committee, sports administrators and coaches.
The objective was to do a ‘post-mortem’ on Ghana’s participation at the just-ended Olympic Games with the view of articulating a scientific approach towards the preparation for upcoming multi-sports events.
The guest speaker was Mr. Koku Anyidoho, President of the Atta Mills Institute.
He said that it was time Ghana shifted its focus from raw talents to the scientific development of sports to enable her Ghanaian sportsmen and women to make an impact at global sports tournaments.
Mr. Anyidoho observed that Ghana was losing her glory in the international sports arena due to the lack of decisive moves to develop the various sports disciplines technically without relying solely on physical strength.
He paid tribute to the late former President, Atta Mills for committing great zeal and enthusiasm to the development of sports facilities and said that he had a vision to build and raise the nation’s sports facilities and image to international standards.
“For instance, since 1982 when the Black Stars of Ghana lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy in Tripoli, we have not replicated that feat at successive tournaments,” Mr. Anyidoho cited.
He pointed out that research into various competitions on the field and their data analysis was crucial for building the squads’ capacity for the contests.
Mr. Anyidoho commended UHAS for the bold initiative to organise the workshop and said that the move was definitely in the nation’s sports interest, for which reason it must be sustained.
The Director-General of the NSA, Professor Peter Twumasi said it was important to increase Ghana’s medal tally at the Olympics by implementing a strategic sports plan focused on improving the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We must start supporting and preparing athletes from now,” he added.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, SOKODE-LOKOE
