Government should invest more in disability sports

The National President of the Sports wing of the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled, Mr Abdul-Aziz Mohammed has appealed to the government to invest massively in the development of sports for people with disabilities.

This, he said, would help strengthen the disabled to be more committed and enhance the development of their sporting activities.

Mr Abdul-Aziz made the appeal at the opening of a two-day National Workshop on Sports of people with disability organized by Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled for its members in Kumasi at the weekend.

The workshop which was attended by over 30 participants and sponsored by Miss Naomi O' Reilly, a volunteer from Ireland was aimed at improving structures for the handicapped including the maintenance and repair of wheel chairs and coaching in sports among others.

Mr Abdul-Aziz said the society has so far received modern equipment including 30 wheel chairs, 14 handbags and others from United State Agency for International Development worth 70,000 US dollars to maintain their sporting endeavours.

He said the workshop and equipment would go a long in helping the Society prepare adequately towards upcoming events such as JAPHAF Games in Niger, the Amputee Soccer Africa Cup in Nigeria and the National Championship Games in Ghana.

Mr Abdul-Aziz, however, regretted about discrimination meted against people with disability in employment, education and other sectors and called on the government to address the problem.

Miss O'Reilly, the sponsor of the workshop took the coaches through various topics including constitution of the game, guideline policies and objectives as well as Mission and Vision of Sports.

She advised the participants to use the knowledge and skills acquired during the workshop towards the development of sports in the country.

GNA