President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Richard Akpokavie, has reaffirmed his commitment to reviving school sports through strategic partnerships with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education.
Speaking during Ghana’s celebration of Olympic Day; an annual global event observed by all 206 National Olympic Committees to mark the birth of the modern Olympic Games’. Akpokavie said school sports must become a national priority once again.
He says if this is done, it will be a step in the right direction.
We are looking to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education. Part of this government’s agenda is to establish a school sports authority. We are looking to push for that authority to be established so that school sports can have dedicated funding, then we can collaborate to be able to develop school sports
He explained that rebuilding a strong school sports culture is essential to developing Ghana’s future athletes and creating a reliable talent pipeline.
Because it’s very important that we do so, so that we can develop the sports in Ghana. The easiest way to help the athletes is to develop the sports here and in the school sports which is the basis.
According to Mr. Akpokavie, when school sports are well-structured and supported, young talents will have the right foundation; whether they remain in Ghana or pursue opportunities abroad.
That’s why I said that once we are able to get school sports developed, then we have a pipeline of people who can develop further. And if you have to go outside, you have the foundation here, and if you have to develop here, you have the foundation. So it’s important that you get a foundation right.
He added that the aim is to restore the vibrancy of school sports seen in past generations, when inter-school competitions were breeding grounds for top national athletes.
