IOC’s ban increased financial burden on government – Sports Minister

Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Clement Kofi Humado has said the ban imposed on Ghana by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) brought untold hardships to the nation.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, Mr Humado said the ban also dented the image of the nation on the international scene and increased the financial burden on the ministry and the government.

According to Minister, Ghana, during the period of the crises and the ban, was no longer receiving funds from the IOC to support the development of sports in the country.

He said it became the responsibility of the government alone to fund the activities of sports men and women ahead of major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games.

“I wish to state that the ministry is therefore relieved by the lifting of the ban, since it opens the door of the Olympic movement once more to sports men and women in Ghana.

“We are also certain that we have been admitted to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games in London,” he added.

Mr Humado said the ministry is looking up to the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) to make preparations towards Congress in two months time to elect new officers to run the Committee as directed by the IOC.

The front of the GOC was engulfed in a conflict in 2009, after attempts to organize a Congress leading to the suspension in November 2009.

The new developments therefore follows directive by the IOC leading to passage of the new Sports Bill into law, which is now in conformity with the Olympic Movement.

The Sports Law was recently passed by Parliament, paving the way for Ghana to begin a new phase in its sports history with all the associations of the various disciplines attaining autonomy.

Source: GNA