National Unity Games in July
The National Sports Authority (NSA) have announced that this year’s edition of the National Unity Games will take place from 17-27 July at the University of Ghana’ Sports grounds in Accra.
The event, previously known as the ‘National Sports Festival’, makes a return after a seven-year hiatus and is geared towards the unearthing of talents for the various sporting disciplines.
The 10-day event under the theme, “Uniting the people through Sports”, will pit together teams from the 10 regions, Ghana Universities Sport Association (GUSA) and the Security Services Sports Associations (SESSA) to vie for honours in 20 sporting disciplines.
At the launch of the event in Accra on Friday, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Clement Kofi Humado said the renaming of the event is in conformity with the powerful characteristic of sports to unite all people.
Mr Humado said the recent political unrest in Northern Africa, the Middle East and post-election violence in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire is enough testimony that peace should not be taken for granted.
“Sports has always been a powerful tool that unites this dear nation of ours, and which therefore needs to be nurtured” he noted.
The Minister said the Games has a pedigree for unearthing talents who have risen from national to international prominence over the years and commended the NSA for its revival after a long absence.
Worlanyo Agrah, Director General of the NSA observed that renaming of the event is in line with his outfit’s re-branding spirit of keeping the Authority alive and unite Ghanaians as well as bring all stakeholders in the web of sports together.
He expressed the conviction that the Games will unearth budding talents who will strengthen the various national teams for the impending 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique and the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Director General of the NSA disclosed that the Games under the distinguished patronage of President John Evans Atta Mills will also have in attendance candidates of all the political parties and other stakeholders towards fostering national unity.
Kojo Bonsu, Board Director of the NSA assured that preparations are advanced to stage a ‘never-to-be-forgotten’ event in line with the objectives of the Games.
About 5000 sportsmen and women from all over the country are expected to participate in disciplines such as Colts soccer, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Amateur Boxing, Chess and Disabled Sports.
The rest are Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate-do, Netball, Cycling, Scrabble, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Tennis and Weightlifting.
Source: GNA