After going all out and making Ghana proud at the African Para Taekwondo Championships in Niger, the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Prof. Peter Twumasi has rewarded the National Para Taekwondo team, with an amount of ten thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵10,000.00) on Friday, June 10, 2022.
The Director General, who received the team, together with their coach and Para Committee in a short visit at his office in Accra, was elated to have medals won at the para championships presented to him.
His Joy was particularly centered on the fact that, a team from outside Accra has been able to realise this achievement.
On February 3 this year, Coach George Ablometi led Patricia Kyeremaa, Emmanuel Kofi Turkson and Adizatu Shaban to win two gold medals and a bronze respectively. Apart from the medals, Ghana finished 3rd overall while Coach Ablometi was adjudged the best female coach.
“I am so proud of you all because you did so well. You have made Ghana proud. President, this is big salutation for you. It will encourage more to come and support you,” Prof. Twumasi said in his welcome speech.
“Usually, the financial and logistical burden of any national team is the burden of the government and the national sports authority is the agency of government and we make sure that, once a team is set up, it belongs to the President and the people of Ghana, so whatever is required of them is to be borne by the state or affiliates in terms of partnership in the private sector,” he added.
“I have already expressed my appreciation to President Otu, because he doesn’t wait for government resources to come before he competes, he finds his way. But whichever way, the appreciation has to come. So, with our token, we appreciate what you have done, making the value of Ghana go up. So, on behalf of the National Sports Authority, we offer you Gh¢10,000 to help meet come of your costs. Congratulations once again,” he concluded.
The President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, Frederick Lartey Otu, who exhibited appreciation to the NSA, also on behalf of the Executive Board used the occasion to present an amount of GH¢2,000 (two thousand Ghana Cedis) to the team.
Chairman of the Para Taekwondo Committee, Rev Samuel Annor who expressed gratitude to the National Sports Authority, called for more support.
“Well, it was a surprise to all of us including the athletes, who were so happy,” Rev. Annor said.
“We have been training and working hard for so long and also been calling on stakeholders for support. I think this will set a precedence for other bodies to emulate. I assure the DG, that we’ll not relent but continue to work hard for greater achievements,” he added.
The Para Taekwondo Team, based in Sunyani has lots of potentials and needs the continuous support of government and corporate bodies as well.
Present at the trophy and medals presentation were, Head of Technical, Kwame Amponfi Jnr, PRO, Charles Amofah, and Papa Asante.
Credit: True News Ghana
