The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Isaac Asiamah, has called for closer collaboration between the Government of Ghana and the Japan Embassy in Accra towards Ghana’s successful participation at the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Japan.
He made the call on Wednesday when the Japanese Ambassador to
Ghana, Tsutomu Himeno visited him to discuss the games and the good relations
the two entities had enjoyed in the past.
According to the minister, the Japanese Ambassador could support
Ghana’s participation by urging Japanese companies to assist the various national
teams and officials to make the trip.
Mr Asiamah asked Mr Himeno to support the Ghana Olympic
Committee (GOC) to complete the Amasaman Project which would serve as a huge
legacy to the Japanese Government.
“Tokyo 2020 is getting closer and we would look forward to
a smooth collaboration between Ghana and Japan to have a very smooth competition,
“he stated.
Ghana, he said, was looking forward to winning medals at the
competition and would require good training and environment to achieve the
desired results.
“A delegation would be sent to Japan in May, to inspect
Ghana’s camp at the games village in Inawashiro to ensure that everything was
in place ahead of the competition,“ he stated.
The minister praised the Japanese outfit for their support for
sports development in the country which included putting up a baseball pitch at
the Labone Senior High School and other initiatives.
Responding, the Ambassador was pleased with the existing
relationship between the two countries and pledged to support Ghana as far as
participation in the Olympic Games is concerned.
“The country is preparing to host an excellent competition
and we are certain that Ghana would have a very smooth competition, “he stated.
He urged the Ghanaian authorities to continue with preparation
for the competition to present formidable athletes.
The GOC president Mr Nunoo Mensah said, collaboration between
the outfit and the ministry in ensuring a successful Olympic participation has
been tremendous and would help in Ghana’s medal ambition.
The GOC, he said, has been extremely proactive in the quest for
Ghana to win gold at the games and the ministry has been very supportive.
Other dignitaries present at the meeting include Deputy Sports Minister, Mr Perry Okudzeto, Mr Owusu Ansah of the Sports Ministry, GOC Deputy Secretary, Rev. Quarcoo and president of Ghana Baseball, Albert Mensah.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
Credit: Source link
