Lack of funds killing netball — Rev Nikoi
Reverend E.D. Nikoi, the president of the Netball Association of Ghana (NAG) says lack of funds has seriously affected the progress of the sport in the country despite the promise it holds to make inroads at the international level.
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According to Reverend Nikoi, who has headed the sport for over two decades, the national team has not been able to participate in international competitions because the association is not able to raise funds for that purpose and the support from government, the owner of the national team, has also not been forthcoming.
Speaking at a forum held yesterday to discuss how the sport could be revived from the grassroot to the national level, the president bemoaned how the sport had been made to ‘die slowly’ because stakeholders with the financial strength had not provided the support to help the sport develop and progress.
The forum, dubbed “Rebirth of Netball” attracted administrators, players, and other stakeholders of netball.
Buttressing his point, the NAG capo said the association had been so cash-strapped that it could not pay for its affiliation of £3355.06 to the International Netball Federation and $500 to the Africa Netball Federation. Ghana has, thus not been able to participate in any international tournament for the past two seasons.
To help revive the sport, the life patron of the NAG, George Haldane Lutterodt, promised to construct 10 netball centres across the country to make the sport more accessible.
To show his commitment, Mr Lutterodt made a cash presentation of GH¢1,000 to the NAG as seed money for the project.
Mr Lutterodt also pledged to provide for the basic needs, including accommodation and feeding for netball players when camping for both local and international assignments.
Mr Lutterodt challenged players of the game to give of their best for the country and promote the sport in every nook and cranny of the country.
He entreated the ladies to open up to leadership to address their concerns and strive to unite while channeling their grievances to authorities for proper remedies to be issued.
The event attracted over 20 players, including the national team captain, Abigail Kafui Tetteh, national coach, Kofi Acheampong.