The Minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah says Ghana is taking lessons from Jamaica as the country strives to improve and develop sports through the National Sports Festival.
He said in Jamaica, events like the National Sports Festival have been used to harness sporting talents, boost tourism and create jobs for the people therefore it would be a plus for Ghana if the country took some positives from the module.
“The contribution of sports to Jamaica’s gross domestic product had soared in recent times and the heroic exploits of Usain Bolt, and other Jamaican athletes had brought honour to their country,” he said.
The minister made this point when he was addressing sections of the media on the upcoming National Sports Festival to be held from Thursday, August 31 to Thursday, September 7 in Kumasi.
He also pledged to ensure that the National Sports Festival is held regularly to provide the platform to unearth sporting talents adding that he would forge partnership with organizations to encourage sponsorship of the event.
The last time the festival was organized was in year 2011 and the long break was blamed on the lack of funds.
It was then known as the National Unity Games and the festival brings together athletes from across the 10 regions to compete in selected disciplines.
Athletes who excel from the Games are then selected to represent the nation in international competitions like the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
This year’s edition would be held under the theme “Sports – a tool for national unity and job creation”, and would be held at the Baba Yara Stadium and Paa Joe Stadium, all in Kumasi.
Mr. Asiamah advised athletes who would be participating in the festival, to work hard to make it more competitive.
