Ghana sports sinks under NPP government - Pele

Accra, Feb.8, GNA- Mr Abuga Pele, Member for Chiana Paga, on Tuesday said sports in Ghana had its worst performance during the first term of President Kufuor and may sink further.

He said poor administration, match losses and poor track performances made Ghana to lose its pre-eminent status in sports. Mr. Pele was speaking on the motion to thank the President for the message on the state of the nation delivered on third February 2005. The member said the issues on sports had not received the needed attention as it had in most cases been treated as an after thought. "Within four years, the Sports ministry had had six ministers and had been torn and pasted on other ministries at will."

He said the lack of consistent and smooth flow of policy direction had created confusion in sport administration. The member said the confusion in the Ghana Football Association (GFA) where the chairman and his executives are feuding could be attributed to poor political direction.

He said as a member of the Sports Committee of the previous Parliament, he had to be part of a team that settled a near brawl between the then Minister and his deputy.

He said eight coaches had filed past the Black Star during the four years taking huge pay cheques for non-performance. The member said Ghanaian Sports officials totalling 163 accompanied 13 sportsmen to the Manchester Commonwealth games and came home with nothing to boast for.

Mr Pele said Ghana may host the CAF African Cup of Nations in 2008 but would not make any impact due to the poor foundation laid for sports.

"No serious foundation has been laid to move Youth and Sports sectors forward."