Boost For Rugby
AS PART of efforts to develop interest in the game of rugby in the country, the Ghana Rugby Association (GRA), under the distinguished leadership of its president, Ms Gifty Annan Myers, has succeeded in bringing down to Ghana an internationally acclaimed rugby expert to interact with the youth.
Under the auspices of the association, Colin Dalton, a retired international rugby referee came to Ghana last month and donated some rugby kits to winners of the School Rugby League at the junior level.
The items donated to the eventual winners, Kotobabi 13, included two sets of jerseys, rugby boots and some referees' jerseys.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE SPORTS in Accra, Amuzu Salim, the national under-18 rugby team coach said Mr. Dalton's visit was to afford him the opportunity to witness the level of the game in the country, and what to do as an individual to develop the game, as well as garner support by using his international connections for the promotion of the game in Ghana.
According to Salim, Mr. Dalton visited schools like Unity, Kotobabi, Amoraf Junior High and the West African Senior High (WASS) all in Accra and then later visited St. Augustine's, Holy Child and Cape Coast Technical schools in the Central Region.
He mentioned that the renowned retired referee interacted with the players in their various schools and the interest among the youth was soaring.
Some of the institutions 'catching the rugby fever' were the University of Ghana, Legon, Amanfrom School at Kasoa in the Central Region, Kaneshie Technical/Secondary, WASS and Labone Secondary School at the senior level.
At the junior level, Mr. Salim stated that Cosmos Preparatory School, La Pas, Abeka Motorway, Divine Light-La Pas, Unity-Kotobabi 13, Amoraf, Queen's Model, Future Leaders Junior High Schools were making great strides in the game of rugby.
He commended the government for the financial and material support to keep the game afloat in the midst of stiff competition from other games.
The national under-18 team coach also singled out Ms Gifty Annan Myers, President of the Rugby Association (GRA) for praises, due to her immense support to the game.
He disclosed that come June this year the Juniors would be traveling to Mali to participate in an International Under-18 Tournament while Ghana would be hosting the Senior division dubbed, “Super 16 Tournament” from 23rd-28th June 2008.
“The Under-12 would be traveling to England for another International Tournament,” he said, expressing the hope that the game would catch up with the youth as football had done.