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A state-of-the-art stadium for Cape Coast
Cape Coast, Feb. 27, Ghanadot/GNA - The Central Regional
Minister, Nana Ato Arthur has announced that plans were far
advanced for the construction of a state of-the-art sports
stadium in Cape Coast.
He said contract for the construction of the stadium would
be signed on Wednesday in Accra for constructional works to
begin soon.
Nana Arthur said this when he opened the 18th annual
Regional Inter-Schools and Colleges Athletics championship
at the Regional Schools and Colleges Park at Adisadel, Cape
Coast on Wednesday.
He said the new stadium would help improve the promotion and
development of sports in the Region and therefore appealed
to all to cooperate with the Regional Coordinating Council
to ensure that the dream becomes a reality
About 60 Second Cycle Schools would competing in long jump,
high jump, triple jump, javelin, hurdles, pole vault, and
tract events in 5000m, 3000m, 400m 4 × 100m, 1,500m and
4×400.
Nana Arthur said it was government’s determination to
promote sports in the country and this was demonstrated with
the construction of the two new stadiums at Essipon near
Sekondi and Tamale as well as the refurbishment of the Baba
Yara and Ohene Djan Sports Stadiums in Kumasi and Accra to
host the Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament early
this year.
The Minister advised athletes and other sportsmen and women
to abstain from the use of performance enhancing drugs
stressing that its future consequences on their life could
be disastrous, adding that “success in sports is obtained by
regular training, determination and discipline and nothing
is worthwhile or significant without discipline”.
Nana Arthur urged the athletes to display the kind of zeal
and forbearance exhibited by the national soccer team, the
Black Stars during the just ended CAN 2008 tournament at the
championship.
He commended the athletes for their achievements in the
region and their show of strength at national competitions,
adding that the region was either the first or with the
first and that they should hold high the flag of the region.
The Regional Minister said “When we talk of our achievements
in school athletics and soccer activities in the region,
names that add up to our glory include three members of the
current national soccer team, Michael Essien and Manuel
Junior Agogo, both products of St Augustine’s College and
Harrison Afful, Winneba Secondary schools as well as Anthony
Annan a product of Ghana National College with other
athletes including Aziz Zakari, Andam Ibrahim Hassan and
Cyril Ferguson all national athletes from the Central
Region”.
He said exploits of all those sports men started like
ordinary students but by dint of hard work they have found
themselves at where they are now and therefore encouraged
the student athletes and other sports men and women to
continue to give of their best in everything they do, adding
“for whatever sacrifice you make today you stand to benefit
tomorrow.”
Mr Albert Ayimful, Chairman of the Central Regional Schools
and Colleges Sports Association in a welcoming address urged
the athletes to comport themselves during the competition.
He expressed concern about some unhealthy incidents in
previous competitions saying he hopes this year’s would be
conducted in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
Mr Ayimful also called on the officials to be committed and
fair in their officiating to enable only the best to emerge
victorious.
GNA
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