Hockey Development workshop opens in Accra

Accra, May 12, GNA - The government has expressed its commitment towards the development of hockey by providing funding for infrastructure development for international competitions and school sports.

Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Sports announced this on Monday at the opening of an International Hockey Federation Continental Workshop in Accra.

The participants drawn from Ghana, South Africa, Malawi, Gambia, Zambia, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda are attending the three-day workshop, organised by the Ghana Hockey Association in collaboration with the International Hockey Federation.

The workshop is to focus on club development and bring up issues on player recruitment and development, institutional structuring and management and volunteerism in sports development. Others are involvement of parents, building linkages, sponsorship and fundraising and officiating.

Mr Amoah said the workshop has come at an opportune time since the continental associations are practically experiencing the importance of such workshops for what they seeks to bring to the fore. He expressed the hope that the workshop will encourage self-governance and promote transparency as well as deeper relationship with all stakeholders in the development of the game.

Prince Ernest Oduro Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC) lauded the organisers for their initiative and was hopeful that sports disciplines would be expanded on the continent through such collaborative programmes. Mr Oko-Nikoi Dzani, Chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association said since every discipline requires periodic assessment the organisation of workshop has become timely and opportune.

He commended the government for making funds available to improve the game in school sports.