Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah, Acting (Ag.) Ashanti Regional Director of National Sports Authority (NSA) on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 commenced his tour of some selected Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region to discuss the region’s plans of staging Rugby championship amongst selected schools.
The competition, which will start on a yet to be agreed date with a pilot between four (4) schools specifically in Kumasi, is geared towards unearthing talented players to participate for Ghana Rugby at both local and international level.
Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah, who was accompanied by Rugby coach in the region, Mr Julius Amevor made his first stop at St. Louis Senior High School at Oduom where the team was warmly received by the school’s Headmistress, Mrs. Ama Kyerewaa Benefo and head of sports department, Mr. Gyasi Simon Peter.
In his opening remarks, the Ag. Regional Director explained why there is the need to introduce Rugby competition in Ashanti where he pointed out, Rugby is one of the fast rising sporting disciplines in the West African Country which as well is receiving the expected spotlight.
He indicated that, Ashanti region serves as the heart of sports when it comes to producing core talents to supply the entire nation so under his leadership at the region’s NSA, he will work to maintain that status quo and even make efforts to better it by increasing the number of sporting disciplines with the introduction of Rugby Baseball and some others.
Mr. Appiah noted, the plan is to include all girls’ school, St. Louis Senior High because the ‘Pacesetters’ as they are affectionately called has built a standard and discipline level that cannot be questioned and the school itself is one of the most prominent institution of females noted for producing talented sports personalities.
On her part, the Headmistress of St. Louis Senior High, Mrs. Ama Kyerewaa Benefo congratulated Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah for being elevated to the high office of the NSA in the Ashanti region.
She emphasized, the ‘Pacesetters’ is second to none when it comes to discipline and standard and so, they welcome the idea of piloting a Rugby competition that will involve her school.
She then tasked the sports master Mr. Gyasi Simon Peter to liaise with the NSA leadership on the competition and also pledged her commitment to support the growth and developmental agenda of Rugby Baseball.
The Ag. Regional Director together with Mr Julius Amevor also paid another courtesy call on the Headmaster of KNUST Senior High after the visit to St Louis before engaging authorities of Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) on the subject matter.
Present at KUMACA to receive the NSA leadership were the Headmaster, Mr. Samuel Kwame Gato, Kwabena Amofa-Assistant Headmaster, Administration, Kwabena Takyi-PE Teacher & Madam Mavis who is the school’s accountant.
Discussion on the upcoming Rugby competition was held as well and the initiative was embraced by leadership of KUMACA who even expressed delight to be part of the selected schools to pilot the competition.
Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Appiah will in the coming days be visiting some selected schools in the region to discuss issues of mutual benefits.
By: Stephen Afful/NSA