Horse racing as a sport. Can Ghana take the challenge?
“Horse racing aroused more interest than a presidential election. The sport extends back to the early domestication of horses by nomadic tribesmen in Central Asia. Today, horse racing is the second biggest spectator sport in Britain and it’s been part of their identity for hundreds of years.
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The thrill of the race is one of Britain’s favourite pleasures. From the skill of the jockey, to the esteem of the breed, to the rush of cheering them on – the people just couldn’t get enough” – William Blane
The sport of horse racing in Ghana dates back to 1957 when the Accra Turf Club (ATC), in conjunction with some corporate entities, put together series of competitions, including the Presidential Cup, Parliamentary Committee Cup, National Gold Cup, Easter Meeting Race, Chairman’s Cup, Ga Homowo Cup and the 555 Challenge Cup, among others.
Known as ‘the sport of kings’, which was patronised mostly by the rich and the elite in society, it became attractive in the country till early 2000 when it vanished into thin air, leaving horse racing fans and managers of the sport to wallow in despair.
Although it was popular among the rich, the trend later changed as ‘the sport of kings’ had become a sport enjoyed by all citizens, creating jobs for both young and experienced jockeys, stewards, horse owners and trainers in the country.
Through the rise of the bookmakers, newspapers and televised events, it has now become an entertainment staple for all - from lords to laymen, millionaires to merchants, and stockbrokers and students in other parts of the world where it started several decades earlier. It kept spirits up during world wars, inspired healthy competitions between neighbours, and continues to unite nations.
Prior to vanishing from the Ghanaian scene, some of the institutions which supported the organisation of these competitions were Accra Brewery, Ghana Airways, GIHOC Ghana Limited, Johnnie Walker, Achimota Brewery, Energo Project, Enterprise Insurance and Vanguard Assurance.
As far back as 2009, I never heard or read anything about the sport as a national service person at the sports unit of the Graphic Communications Group Limited. However, seven years down memory lane, management of the Accra Turf Club (ATC) with support from Sunbet Ghana Limited, a sport betting company, and Mutual Health Insurance scheme, have resurrected the game.
The sport, which went into oblivion for more than a decade and which caused several talents to be wasted, is back, drawing hundreds of spectators, mediamen and sellers of food beverages to the venue week after week.
Resuscitation of the sport
The members of the Board of Stewards of ATC, notably Robert Odenkey Mensah, Nour Captan, Pucci Fillepi, Samuel Turkson, Perigrino S Brimah, Alhaji Amadu Alhassan, Richard Addo, Godwin Quaye and Miss E F W Mills, deserve commendation for their effort to make the sport see the light of day.
Since the resurrection early this year, the Accra Turf Club gets busy on holidays, and on special occasions with a series of competitions, including the Easter Egg Challenge Cup, Independence Day Challenge Cup and the Whitsun Race Meeting Days.
With their hope restored, horse owners, trainers and jockeys, who are excited about the resuscitation of the sport, line up their horses bearing interesting names to compete for trophies with cash prizes at stake during each event.
Also as expected, lovers of the sport, together with those who only wish to catch a glimpse of proceedings, troop to the venue to cheer their favourite jockeys and horses as they battle fiercely for honours.
Journalists are not left out of the euphoria as they contribute by their coverage of the sport for their respective media houses to promote the sport.
At the last Independence Challenge Cup, Hon. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, who represented the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, made some promises to help promote the game , but called on corporate organisations and philanthropists to lend a hand to the organisers of the maiden competition and others in the future.
Benefits
Generally, the implications of sports disciplines can be seen in political, social and economic terms. Socially, sports are a good way to spend one’s free time either by watching or participating. Sports also serve as arena where people can gather, disregarding ethnic and political affiliations to enjoy themselves. Politically, sport can serve as a stepping-stone to launch political careers of individuals. It offers people popularity and exposure, which are very important attributes for a successful political career.
According to history, veteran jockeys such as Julius Q Fiadjigbe, Odartey Lamptey, Musah Gyan, Ibrahim Mahama, Seidu Alhassan, T Ali, A Nunoo, E K Anthony, M Bawa, among others, secured employment at institutions like the Ghana National Fire Service, Military Service, Immigration Service and the Police Service due to their prowess in horse riding.
Many talents were unearthed and over hundreds of jobs created for the youth through the game. Horse racing has produced productive and responsible citizens, thereby reducing social vices in society.
While many connoisseurs of the sport have suggested the establishment of horse racing academies and institutions to train more jockeys in the country, others are of the view that corporate sponsorship, intense publicity, as well as massive patronage, are the antidotes needed to help maintain the tempo generated so far.
Challenges
One major challenge facing the ATC currently is sponsorship. There were only two sponsors during the opening day, a situation which compelled Nii Lante Vanderpuye to call on corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the organisers.
There is the need to construct the stands for spectators to enjoy the sport and also develop places of convenience for those who visit the racecourse during competitions.
Currently, activities of the over 30 sporting federations in the country have stalled due to financial and logistical challenges, and with the minister also lamenting about his ministry being broke a few weeks ago at a meeting with the members of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), one wonders whether Ghana can take the challenge of developing and promoting horse racing as a sport to the youth whose interest and passion lie in the game.
It is hoped that the Board of Stewards of the ATC, will be able to give the sport of kings the needed boost that it deserves to make it relevant once more.