The National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General, Yaw Ampofo – Ankrah, has provided an update on the delivery of pitch protectors for stadiums in Ghana.
According to Ankrah, the NSA is expecting a shipment of pitch protectors to arrive soon, which will enable the authority to test their effectiveness in protecting the pitches during events.
The NSA’s priority is to ensure that the pitches are protected and preserved for future events. Ankrah emphasized the importance of protecting the pitches, stating that “we have to protect the pitch as we done throughout.” This commitment to preserving the integrity of Ghana’s sports infrastructure is evident in the NSA’s actions.
If the pitch protectors arrive on time, the NSA plans to conduct experiments with spectators sitting on the pitch to test the protectors’ durability. Ankrah explained that “if the pitch protectors come in before, we may be able to experiment with having some sitting on the pitch to test the pitch protectors.”
This will enable the NSA to assess the effectiveness of the protectors and ensure that they can withstand the demands of large events.
However, if the pitch protectors do not arrive, the NSA will prioritize protecting the pitch. Ankrah cited the President’s Cup as an example, where the stage was set up behind the goal poles to avoid damaging the pitch.
He stated that “even if you remember, the President’s Cup, we didn’t use the pitch, the stage was behind the goal poles.” This approach demonstrates the NSA’s commitment to preserving the condition of the pitches.
The NSA’s efforts to protect the pitches are a welcome development for sports stakeholders in Ghana. The arrival of pitch protectors will enable the hosting of events without compromising the condition of the pitches, and the NSA’s commitment to preserving the integrity of Ghana’s sports infrastructure is evident in their actions.