Baba Yara Sports Stadium unfit to host major international tournaments – NSA Boss

Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has declared that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi is currently unfit to host any major international tournament.

During an inspection of the facility, Mr Ankrah emphasised the urgent need for rehabilitation work, particularly on the pitch, to make it suitable for use by clubs and national teams in upcoming international matches.

“When we talk about Baba Yara, most people focus solely on the pitch. But beyond that, there are numerous issues that need critical attention to bring the stadium back to a standard suitable for local league, continental, and international engagements,” he stated.

He cited several reasons for the stadium’s decline, including insufficient funding and the lack of consistent irrigation.

“The pitch alone requires about 80,000 liters of water daily, which has not been consistently available,” he noted.

Despite the challenges, Mr Ankrah expressed confidence in NSA’s capacity to rehabilitate the pitch and restore the stadium’s lost glory.

He urged the media to play a proactive role by setting an agenda beyond Asantehene’s recent assurance of support.

Mr Ankrah said there was the need for collective action, adding that the media must help rally all stakeholders behind the transformation agenda for Baba Yara.

Mr Ankrah disclosed that in recent months, the NSA had conducted inspections and assessments of several sporting facilities across the country.

These include the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, Kaladan Park, Tarkwa Sports Stadium, Essipong Stadium, Koforidua Sports Complex, Nkawkaw Sports Stadium, Borteyman Sports Stadium, and the Tema Sports Stadium.

He said the ongoing assessments formed part of a strategy by the NSA to improve the state of sports infrastructure nationwide, making Ghana a more attractive and competitive destination for sports development.

Source: GNA

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