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Establish common fund for sports development -ECOWAS
Accra, July 5, GNA – The Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) has called on member states to establish a
Common Fund to accelerate the development of sports in the
sub-region.
The sub-regional body also called on member states to
include the practice of sports in the curricula of schools
and colleges as part of the development plan.
The proposals were contained in a three page communiqué
issued by a team of technical experts who deliberated on
EOCOWAS Sports Policy and Strategic Plan of Action after a
four day meeting in Accra.
Member states have also been advised to find ways of
promoting indigenous sports and games in the region to raise
them to acceptable standards.
The communiqué also called on member states to take concrete
steps towards the ratification of international conventions
on sports development by instituting relevant legislations.
It also called for the participation of women, men and youth
in sports to as well make adequate provisions for persons
with special needs in sports and other related activities.
The communiqué also called on member states to use sports as
catalysts for socio economic development for the
achievements of eight targets of the Millennium Development
Goals.
It added that member states must formulate national sports
policies, promote the creation of West Africa Unions that
will bring together national sports associations in all
sporting disciplines.
Member states have also been tasked to encourage sports
research, especially in the area of sports food health as
well as ratifying the UNESCO Convention on Doping.
Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports in his
closing remarks of the end of the four day meeting, said he
was happy that the communiqué contains strong, pragmatic and
compelling statements built around a clear vision and
comprehensive mission.
He, however, noted that the communiqué will not be used for
decorative purposes on the shelves of the ECOWAS library but
be implemented to the letter.
“It is only when the policies are implemented that we as
experts and politicians can feel justifiably satisfied that
we have laid a firm foundation for the realization of ECOWAS
Sports Policy, which is the use of sports as a vehicle for
human development, peaceful coexistence and regional
integration”. Nii Dua stated.
GNA
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