The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Ussif Mustapha, has launched the National Invitational School Association Championship (NISAC) athletics festival in a bid to revive athletics at the basic level of education.
The event is a brainchild of Ghana Athletics (GA) and Citi TV in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), and will be the latest addition to the GA’s calendar.
Launching it on Tuesday at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Mr Mustapha noted that the timing of the event scheduled for February 5-9 was perfect as it offers the opportunity to test the new facilities constructed at the University of Ghana Sports Complex and Borteyman for the Africa Games this year.
According to the Minister, the championship in addition to other upcoming sports events fall in line with the MoYS concept of declaring Accra as the sports hub of Africa for 2024.
He said with the construction of the facilities, Ghana was in a very good position to host international championships.
But ahead of that he said Ghana was waiting for a World Athletics (WA) certification to make the facility, especially the running tracks, one of the best in the world.
He said the African Union (AU) Technical Committee was expected in the country to also evaluate the two facilities for the Africa Games.
Mr Bawa Fuseini, the President of Ghana Athletics (GA), said the festival follows a fruitful discussion between the GA and Citi TV and would attract 50 schools across the country and 1,500 pupils.
According to him, it was the first time such a collaboration has happened and was positive that would open several doors of opportunities for the sport.
He thanked the MoYS for the support given to the athletics so far, and was optimistic athletics would thrive if the country invests in athletics.
The launch was attended by Dr Kweku Ofosu Asare, Executive Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and officials of MoYS.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
