Get involved in organization, administration of sports…Sports Minister appeals to traditional leaders
Mr. Isaac Asiamah, the Minister of Youth and Sports has called on traditional leaders in the country to take active roles in the sporting industry.
He said this would improve community involvement and attention to certain sporting disciplines that traditional leaders will take up, adding that, this would o ensure proper development of sports in the country.
“I humbly request all other traditional rulers in this country to take up different sporting disciplines and support them. It’s a plea to you because you are the spiritual embodiment of our people and so therefore whatever you take part in succeeds. That is why as our chiefs and kings, you are our leaders, and we are urging you to become the pivot of sports development in this country,” he said.
Mr Asiamah who was speaking at the 44th edition of the MTN SWAG Awards in Accra said, the development of sports in the country would have a great impact on the economy by creating more jobs for the youth.
Citing the roles played by the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Nana Agyeman Badu II who is in charge of Aduana Stars, Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s Asante Kotoko and others, the Minister expressed the view that with the support of the chiefs, sports, especially football will thrive in the country.
“We witnessed the era where we had traditional clubs that had some of our eminent chiefs as patrons and wherever they go to play, one is sure the spirit of the entire town follows them.”
“We need to go back to those days where the traditional clubs made football exciting. We need them back. I believe with the involvement of our chiefs, all those clubs including Eleven Wise, Okwahu United and others can return.”
“We can use sports as a major tool for job creation and crime prevention. The young people need jobs, sports has a major opportunity to provide the kind of jobs that we need. So I’m urging you to get on board.
“And when you do that this country can provide jobs that the young people need. If we are able to develop our sports, Ghana would find a better place for our young people,” he added.
The Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua constituency commended traditional leaders like Togbe Afede XIV, Nana Kwabena Nketiah, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, Osagyefo Agyemang Badu I, for their involvement in sports by adopting football clubs in their communities and the country.
-GNA
