We will review Sports Bill, President Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills has said government will review the draft Sports Bill with various stakeholders and present it to Parliament.

He said this will be in line with the Party's Manifesto of developing a comprehensive Sports Policy and related legislation to regulate and guide sports development in the country.

President Mills said this when he delivered his first State of the Nation Address in Parliament House on Thursday.

“We have come to meet a draft Sports Bill from the past administration.

Our goal however is to move away from the over-concentration on soccer and to some extent boxing. We must unearth and harness potential in track and field by giving inter-collegiate sports a new impetus.”

He said the government will also structure management set-up to maximize returns from the four (4) new stadia built for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and the new Cape Coast stadium that obviously the NDC Government has to complete.

President Mills said the immediate preoccupation of Government, apart from the draft Sport Bill and the Sports Policy are to collaborate with the Ghana Hockey Association to successfully host the 2009 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations.

“Government, in partnership with the Ghana Football Association will not only ensure a second appearance at 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but be one of the four nations that will play in the semi-finals and finals”.

He added that “Our hearts and minds will also be with the Black Satellites, who will participate in the FIFA World Cup Youth Tournament in Egypt, come September”.

The President said the ultimate target of the Government is to draw up and execute a strategic plan that will aim at Ghana capturing the commanding heights of not only sports in Africa but the world as a whole.