Paralympic sports potential for job creation, crime prevention — Asiamah
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, has assured members of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of his outfit’s unflinching support to see to it that they are relieved of the many challenges encountered during preparations and participation in international tournaments.
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According to him, disability sports in particular and sports in general, was a tool for job creation and crime prevention and, therefore, must be given the necessary attention to enhance the development of the youth.
“I have heard all your issues concerning accommodation, offices, funding and equipment, among others, and the fact that you’ve been treated unfairly over the years. For me, I believe that all sporting disciplines demand equal attention so I won’t be a minister for football alone but for all.
“I also believe that we should create equal opportunities for everybody and I see paralympic sports as a potential area for job creation and crime prevention. You have the talents and the skills so our job is to provide the conducive environment for you to excel and we will do just that for you”, he noted.
The minister gave the assurance last Wednesday at the offices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Accra when the leadership of the NPC called on him to express their grievances over what they described as “unfair treatment” by successive ministers and also to discuss the way forward.
Led by the vice president and general secretary of the committee, Mr Eric Kissi and Mr Ignatius Ellertey respectively, the group “poured out their hearts” to the minister at the sitting, which was his first official meeting with any of the federations under the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Three-time African champion and two-time para-Olympian, Allem Mumuni, a paracyclist, lamented the exclusion of disability sports from the Sports Bill, which was passed last year, while decrying the numerous times he represented Ghana on an international stage without the necessary funding.
“Most of our colleagues have naturalised in other countries because our own country does not value us. I was at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and as at now I still have not received what is due me as bonus from the ministry,” he bemoaned.
Paralympic powerlifter, Charles Nartey, also argued that disability sports had won a lot of medals for Ghana but members always had to chase for money to embark on international tournaments, adding that he was still indebted to some travel and tour agencies, who had been on his heels for money owed.
For his part, Rev Adesah, president of the Amputee Football Federation, noted that sports was the only venture that gave hope to his players and charged the minister to focus on the development and promotion of disability sports in the country.
In attendance were Mr Joe Kpenge, Director General of the NSA, and Mr Frank Quist, Chief Director of the ministry.
