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05.07.2002 Sports News

Share of Gate Takings For Stadium Rehabilitation

05.07.2002 LISTEN
By GNA Sports

The National Sports Council (NSC) has ordered sports development officers in the regions to retain its 10 percent share of the net gate takings during league matches for the rehabilitation of the stadia and parks.

In an exclusive interview with the GNA Sports on Wednesday, Dr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Acting Chairman of the NSC said the move is the Council's positive response to salvage national stadia and parks from further deterioration.

He said the NSC is greatly concerned about the declining state of facilities and are determined to stretch their meagre resources to repair and maintain them for the benefit of the citizenry.

Dr Owusu Ansah said though there is no budgetary allocation for some of the declining facilities this year, he hopes the retention of the 10 percent would go a long way in the rehabilitation effort.

The Chief Executive praised the Eastern Regional Sports Development Officer for soliciting for a 56 million cedi loan from a bank to rehabilitate the Koforidua Stadium.

He advised the other regional and district centres to seek bank loans to address the urgent repair works and pay back with what would accrue to them from league matches.

Dr Owusu Ansah said work was going on at the Nkawkaw Stadium and the Sekondi Gyandu Park and hoped they would soon be ready for league action.

Deteriorating facilities have forced some of the premier league clubs to abandon their home grounds and play their home matches away from home. Okwawa United have deserted the Nkawkaw Stadium for the Accra Sports Stadium while Sekondi Hasaacas now play their home matches at the Siwudu Park in Cape Coast.

The Tamale Kaladan Park has also been closed to league action since the beginning of the season for renovation work and the home team RTU now host their visitors at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

Last season relegated Tema Ghapoha played some of their premier league matches in Accra, citing the poor condition of the Tema Stadium for their sojourn to the capital.

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