Ghana ready to host Sudan in AFCON qualifier - NSA
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has given an assurance that Ghana is fully prepared to host the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan, highlighting measures taken to restore key stadiums to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
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During an appearance before the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture last Wednesday, NSA Governing Board Chairman, Seth Panwum, who also serves as the Acting Director-General, detailed the organisation’s efforts to rectify concerns raised by CAF regarding the state of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as well as the Accra and Cape Coast Sports stadiums.
Mr Panwum clarified that the NSA’s core mandate was to develop and promote sports in Ghana while maintaining the country’s state-owned sports facilities.
Addressing the committee’s concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium—flagged by CAF after the AFCON qualifier against Angola— he explained that the stadium was subsequently closed down to allow for comprehensive pitch maintenance.
He assured the committee that the pitch was now in excellent condition and that the NSA was hopeful of a favourable review by a CAF inspection team for reinstatement as a Category 3 stadium.
He added that in light of the damage caused to the pitch during a recent non-sporting event, the NSA had issued a directive to all facility managers to prohibit non-sporting events at the stadiums until proper pitch covers were procured.
This measure, Mr Panwum emphasised, was to ensure the pitches were preserved for sports activities, in line with CAF’s requirements.
Stadium maintenance
The NSA boss further lamented the challenge of maintaining the stadiums, noting that the government’s subvention for such operations was inadequate.
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As a result, the NSA relied on internally generated funds through rentals to support its activities. He appealed to the parliamentary sub-committee to push for the passage of the Sports Fund Bill, which would provide much-needed financial support to the NSA in executing its mandate.
He reiterated that the organisation had addressed all recommendations made by CAF following their last inspection at the Accra and Cape Coast Sports stadiums and expressed confidence that these venues would meet the necessary standards when re-evaluated.
“Ghana is ready to host the match against Sudan,” Mr Panwum assured the committee.
Also appearing before the committee was Alhaji Majeed Bawa, the Deputy Director-General of the NSA, who clarified issues relating to a missing Toyota Hilux vehicle in 2019, as well as other staff welfare-related issues.