The Acting (Ag.) Ashanti Regional Director of National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah held a meeting on Wednesday 6th October, 2021 with the coaches of various sports disciplines in Ashanti Region.
The meeting, which was held to discuss issues pertaining to previous competitions the coaches have participated especially athletics saw the NSA Ag. Regional Director, present prize money and items representatives of Ashanti region who emerged victorious at the 2021 National Cross Country event.
Sherifa Moro who placed second in the female category of the National 10km event at Sefwi Wiaso in the Western North Region came for her prize when she was accompanied by her father Moro Abass.
John Kudenu also came second in the male category but was not present during the short ceremony due to his unavailability following his recent recruitment into the military.
However, Sherifa Moro was given her GHS 2,000 she earned as 1st runners up and was also given a certificate and a bookauthored by Prof. Peter Twumasi, Director General of NSA. The Ag. Regional Director on behalf of the region also added a small token to the winners to show an appreciation for representing the region.
He then encouraged them to work hard so they can be selected to participate in the upcoming National Cross Country that will be held in February, 2022 at Akim Oda as winning last year’s edition doesn’t qualify an athlete automatically for the upcoming edition.
After the presentation, Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah led a meeting with coaches of various disciplines in the region where relevant issues on how to identify and train talents for the region for upcoming competitions were discussed.
The coaches admitted, there should be laid down structures, rules and regulation which should be known to all athletes and their coaches. According to them, any athlete who wants to be trained under the Ashanti Regional Coaches has to agree with the terms of condition of the association.
The coaches together with Mr. Appiah also discussed matters relating to lack of funds to run the athletics team where it was agreed, there is the need to provide the required funds for the team from selection of athletes through to training them for a competition.
Some of the coaches suggested that, the winning prize during competitions should be divided into two, half goes to the winning athlete and the other half goes to the entire team. Another suggestion was also to seek sponsorship and support because with full sponsorship, there will be no need for anyone to take portion of the winning prize.
The Ag. Regional Director, Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah assured, he will collaborate with the Regional Sports Committeeto access funds from the Regional Coordinating Council after the budget has been prepared. He also revealed, identity cards will be given to the athletes so they can enter the Baba Yara Sports Stadium without any problem.
He also pledged that, he will do everything within his capacity to assist the coaches do a better job as everything lies on them.
Finishing up, Mr. Appiah tasked the coaches to form a three member committee among themselves to be in charge of structuring some rules and laid down regulation for all coaches and the athletes as well.
In his closing remarks, he encouraged the coaches to put in their best in order to ensure, their athletes will be selected as he has already sent a list of the disciplines for African Games come 2023. Some of these disciplines are; athletics, badminton, swimming, table tennis, long tennis, basketball, handball and hockey.
By: Naseeba Yahaya/NSA-A/R