The Ghanaian government has unveiled plans to set up a School Sports Authority as part of its strategy to revitalize grassroots sports development. This new body will be tasked with managing structured inter-school competitions and talent identification programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of elite athletes.
Speaking during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament today, President John Mahama underscored the pivotal role school sports have played in shaping some of Ghana’s finest athletes.
“We are undertaking a major transformation of grassroots sports by establishing the School Sports Authority. This institution will oversee well-structured inter-school competitions and talent development programs to groom future champions. Over 60% of Ghana’s top athletes have emerged from these school sports programs,” he stated.
Once operational, the School Sports Authority will collaborate with educational institutions and sports federations to ensure young athletes receive quality training and exposure. The initiative is expected to produce more stars like Sulley Muntari, Martha Bissah, and Aziz Zakari, who honed their skills through school sports before making their mark on the international stage.
This initiative is in line with the government’s broader agenda to enhance sports infrastructure, improve coaching standards, and create more opportunities for young talents to thrive in competitive sports.
- Mustapha Hadji Dean
