Sporting activities promote peace and development

President Kufuor has urged the Universities to consider including sporting courses in their curricula to challenge students not to regard sports as residual activity. He also asked the Universities to develop more training programmes for sports professionals to give the industry the needed expertise so blossom. President Kuuor made the call in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of the 20th Ghana Universities Sports Association, GUSA games in Tamale.

President Kufuor noted that sporting activities are relevant for the unity, peace and development of the country and numerous benefits for nations. The President explained that the government's commitment to the development of sports has been demonstrated through the hosting of the Ghana 2008 football tournament and the construction of two new stadia in Sekondi and Tamale and the renovation of two others in Accra and Kumasi.

President Kufuor, however, said the country needs to do more to institutionalize sporting culture in the body politic.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Kaku Sagary Nokoe, said sports plays a pivotal role in the prevention and management of degenerative diseases that plague the youth and the larger community.

He therefore urged coaches and other sports stakeholders to run comprehensive health and fitness programmes to complement the effort of government to reduce the rising lifestyle related illnesses among the people.