Commonwealth Sports Awards launched

Accra, April 07, GNA - The 25th Commonwealth Sports Awards scheduled for October 9, this year at the Banquet Hall, State House has been launched in Accra.

The event, which also marks the silver jubilee of the institution of the award, is to give recognition to all sports men and women in the 72 Commonwealth countries in all sporting disciplines.

Among some of the awards to be given are Outstanding Male and Female Athletes, Most Outstanding Team, Sports Administrator, Outstanding Male and Female with disability and Life Time Achievements.

Madam Louis Martin, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Sports Foundation and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland who launched the event described it as an occasion for the celebration of the great achievements of sports personalities across the commonwealth nations.

She said it would also be an opportunity for sports personalities to be honoured for what they have achieved through out the year.

Madam Martin announced that nominations for the awards would be open for member countries between July 1st and June 3rd this year.

Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports said the event would be of great importance to the nation since it will serve as an instrument for bringing about international understanding and world peace.

He said sports had moved beyond the era when it was used as a form of entertainment, adding that sports is now a recipe for forging and nurturing unity and international peace.

Alhaji Bawa said the nation has made some modest achievements in the Commonwealth Sports Awards.

"This is an indication of the great potential of Ghana in sports, hence the government is determined to explore it to enhance our development," he added.

The Minister said the government would also create the necessary environment for the private sector to invest in the provision of sports infrastructure in order to facilitate the development of sports in the country.

Alhaji Bawa assured the organisers of the event that government would do all that it can to assist in the organisation of a successful award ceremony.