The Future of Ghana’s Sporting Infrastructure
21st July 2019
The 2023 All Africa Games are coming to Ghana. In a bid to get ready for the competition, Ghana’s President is taking the opportunity to upgrade the sporting infrastructure in the country. The hope is to put the nation on the map as a preferred destination for the development of sporting disciplines.
Back in November, it was revealed that a $2.5 million budget will be used to improve sports development in Ghana. One initiative is to begin the renovation and upgrading of the country’s current sporting infrastructure, such as the Accra and Cape Sports Stadia.
Another initiative is to help with talent development. Despite doing well at youth level international sporting stages, Ghana lacks first-rate facilities to train and develop athletes to compete in world events. It is believed that making such facilities available will transform and polish youngster’s talents.
This is where Portuguese soccer giant, Benfica, steps in. Benfica is set to build a soccer academy in Ghana to unearth talents. The Academy will serve as a facility to identify, develop, train and nurture talented youth, turning them into world-class professionals. There has also been discussion around how to promote soccer in younger children to help them grow as talented professionals.
The project will be led by Ghanaian licensed FIFA agent, Seedorf Asante, and will be the first major work by the club on the continent. Other officials involved in the project include the CEO of Global Football, Fernando Mendes; Benfica youth team coach, David Manuel; one of the club’s directors, Luis Miguel; and the Minister of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Issac Asiamah.
Sports can bring immense contribution to the socio-economic development of a nation. It opens up more employment opportunities, promotes a healthier lifestyle, it brings in revenue to the country, it puts a nation on a map and increases tourism. However, it can also impact other things, such as gambling and sports betting.
Sports betting is already very popular in Ghana, with football the sport of choice to bet on. It is expected that with the heavy focus on new sporting initiatives, there could be a rise in the number of Ghanaians gambling and betting. While these can contribute to increased employment and revenue, they do need to be done responsibly and safely. Experts believe that checking online reviews for casinos and betting companies could help to keep players safe, but it is still possible to get into trouble by gambling recklessly, which can lead to the development of a gambling addiction.
The future of sport in Ghana looks bright. With the government's commitment and investment in the development of sporting infrastructures across the country paving the way to shape and secure its future, the world may need to keep an eye on the next generation of Ghanaian talent rising up through the ranks.