SPORTS : Ghana’s yoke of suspension from IOC will soon be over

Sports

Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Clement Kofi Humado has announced that Ghana’s suspension from the Olympics would soon end as the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meet in South Africa to decide the fate of Ghana.

Mr Humado said the outcome of the meeting was positive since the Sports Bill would soon come to Parliament after a few corrections have been rectified, adding that the adoption of the Report would be the final requirement for the lifting of the ban on Ghana.

The Minister said this when read the motion for the adoption of the Report of Committee for Subsidiary Legislation on the Subsidiary Legislation on Sports Regulation 2011.

Ghana on the January 13, 2011 was ostracized from the International Olympic Committee for its inability to reform its laws in accordance to international practice.

He thanked Ghanaians and the sporting public for their support during the period of suspension.
    
Contributing to the adoption of the Report, Mr Isaac Esiamah NPP Member for Atwima Mponua said many sporting talents abound in Ghana and that the ban on Ghana was a big blow to the developing of such budding talents.
  
“It should be a big lesson to all that government involvement in sports has limitation,” he said, adding that Ghana’s image was dented as a result.
    
He called on the Minister and all Ghanaians to protect the sanctity of Ghanaian sports.

Mr Stephen M. Ackah, NDC Member for Suaman and Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee said the adoption of the Regulation would serve as a catalyst for the lifting of the ban on Ghana.

He noted that Ghana must conform to the rules and regulations of the international organizations to avoid such occurrences in the future.

Papa Owusu Ankomah, NPP Member for Sekondi expressed surprise that the Sports Bill has not been passed over a long period.

He said the Bill, according to the experts was on of the best across the world and called on the government to demonstrate much commitment to sports by passing it with haste.
    
Papa Ankomah said he has confidence in the capabilities of the Sports Minister but urged him to be fast in seeing to the passage of the Bill in good time.

Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, Chairman of the Committee for Subsidiary Legislation said the Committee was pleased with the effort of the Minister in taking off the yoke of suspension from Ghana after the directive from the IOC.

He said the new Regulation provided for an independent and democratic administration of a sports association in line with the Olympic Charter governing the Olympic Movement.

The Chairman said the instrument would also enhance transparency and ccountability in sports administration in Ghana.

“The instrument requires sports associations which receive funds from government to render proper account to the National Sports Authority at a specified time and in a manner to be determined by the Authority,” he said.

Mr Osei-Prempeh explained that this would promote accountability and also ensure efficient utilization of state resources necessary for the development of sports in the country.

AYB / GNA