NSA likely to postpone 2013 National Unity Games

The National Sports Authority (NSA) could postpone the 2013 National Unity Games from August to December, due to lack of funds.

The NSA is yet to receive any funds from government for the organization of the event, scheduled for August 11-18 in Kumasi with less than a fortnight to the event.

The NSA needs about 2.5 million cedis for the organization of the Games.

Information gathered by the GNA Sports, indicates that, the Authority is expected to discuss the possible postponement with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah by the close of Wednesday.

A highly placed source at the NSA told the GNA Sports that, with less than two weeks to commence the event, it will be impossible to organize it, even if funds were released by government this week.

“We do not want to organize just anything to represent something. We must ensure that the Unity Games will have a significant impact on the nation and I do not think we will be able to put up a good show taking into consideration the situation at hand.

“Unless the Ministry of Youth and Sports insists on organizing the Games, we at NSA are not in favour of the Unity Games, because we may not be able to put up a good show,” the source hinted.

The source said the selection of December, is to afford organizers the opportunity to use the accommodation facilities of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) since the students will be on vacation then.

The National Unity Games was expected to serve as the platform for preparation towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Boxing, Athletics, Table Tennis, Badminton, Handball, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Karate-do, Disable Sports and Tae-Kwondo, with Wrestling and Weightlifting as exhibition events were selected by the NSA for the week-long event.

Source: GNA