The Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) has received technical and financial support from World Athletics (WA), the world governing body of track and field, through the Athlete Olympic Dividend (AOD) facility.
It was to help the GAA organise coaching and technical courses in Ghana from December 2020 to November 2021.
This, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GAA, falls in line with the GAA’s preparation towards the 2023 Africa Games in Ghana.
GAA, he said, is not only training athletes towards the games but will also train coaches and technical officers as well, adding that the programme is in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to complement their effort in organising the games in 2023.
In all, the GAA will train 140 coaches nationwide, 40 technical officers at Level I in February and about 20 Technical Officers at Level II in November 2021.
The first coaching course was held in Damongo, in the Savanna Region where 23 coaches were trained a few weeks ago. The second coaching course started yesterday in the Bono East regional capital, Techiman. It is expected to end on Friday.
Apart from receiving financial support from the WA, the world governing body was also providing Ghana with technical resource persons to hold the courses (Level I coaches and Level I & II for officials).
The criteria for participation in the Technical Officials’ course, Mr Bawa said, will be published in the coming days, adding those only eligible participants or those who have passed the level I both in the coaches and the technical officials’ courses can attend the level II which will be solely on merit in November 2021.
The GAA expressed gratitude to the World Athletics for its support and the LOC for its cooperation and coordination towards the programme.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
