Sports consultant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the 13th African Games, William Blick has emphasized the need for Ghana to host international and domestic events, believing it is the only way the facilities will be maintained properly.
Ghana successfully hosted 54 countries in 29 sporting disciplines across 9 venues including the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, The Borteyman Sports Complex, Bukum Boxing Arena, Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Theodosia Oko Hockey pitch, Accra Sports Stadium, Achimota Cricket Oval, Laboma Beach Resort among other venues in the recently ended the 13th African Games.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ministry of Youth and Sports media briefing dubbed “Time with Accra 2023 medallist on Monday at the University of Ghana sports stadium, the International Olympic committee member, Blick highlighted the need for the President to initiate the Ghana games.
I think it is important that one, internally the president initiated the Ghana games.
I think it is important that the various regions have regional competitions and the winners come into the national competition to use the facilities.
Internally the facilities would have to be used as a country, the national games would be a perfect opportunity to use this facility.
Secondly Ghana as a country needs to work with international federations to bring international events.
You have the continental event on the African continent and an international event, so the government needs to reach out and make a case for its ability to host.
It’s the only way the facilities are going to be used and the only way it’s going to be maintained properly. Ghana has to host international and domestic events.”
Meanwhile, the government says there’s a budget allocation for maintenance of the facilities that hosted the African Games.