The Member of Parliament for the Talensi Constituency in the Upper East Region, former President of the Ghana Olympic Committee has underscored the need for sports development in the Upper East Region.
In a recent interview with A1 Radio’s Mark Smith, the MP explained that if proper systems are put in place, the Upper East Region, could find very talented sports-inclined individuals and help them hone their talents.
To this end, Mr. BT Baba has shared his interest in sponsoring inter-constituency games between senior high schools. This he believes would be an opportunity for young individuals at the senior high school level to showcase their talents for development.
“We have started something and it looked very beautiful. We started with the JHS. All the schools were involved in the football competition. When they left, we extended it to the senior high schools; we have two in the district and they ended theirs last Friday. Looking at it, I do not want a situation where the culture of the people would be relegated. So we are also going to have a music and cultural festival in the next 3 months.”
“I am going to discuss with my colleagues, the MP for Bolga East, Dr. Ayine [and ask] why can’t we meet [for the inter-constituency games]. If the others [MPs] express similar interest then all the MPs will come together so that there can be a regional competition.”
“As we start gradually, we can even say that now that we have reached this status, for this particular year, Talensi, you are hosting and you are organising. The next could be Bolga East, then Bolga Central then it covers all the districts,” he said.
The MP touted the economic potential of the games saying, “if we do that, it could be a source of employment. The best footballers could get jobs playing for the premier clubs. The next group of people may find themselves outside the country as professionals. Michael Essien came from Ewuttu to play football. He did not know that he will end up in Chelsea and Real Madrid.”
“It is possible we can them [great players] here but we have not exploited talents,” he said.
Earlier, the Member of Parliament for Talensi Constituency and former President the Ghana Olympic Committee, Benson Tongo Baba (BT Baba) observed that the basic problems of the Ministry of Youth and Sports are financing, and technical expertise and infrastructure.
He made the observation when he spoke on A1Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show today, May 31, 2022.
BT Baba said “the basic problem of the Ministry of Youth and Sports is financing, technical expertise and then three, we don’t have the infrastructure. Look at the Upper East Region, recently they came and did some Astroturf and over the weekend all of you trooped there and you were playing some fun games. Do you see the crowd that it pulled; the enthusiasm of the people. They say Bolgatanga stadium, is not a stadium, this is a park.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
