UG Sports Director criticises Ghana’s approach to sports development

Ghanaian

Dr. Austin Luguterah, the Director of Sports and Wellness at the University of Ghana, has expressed his worries regarding the stagnation of sports development in Ghana, which he attributes to insufficient prioritization by authorities.

He noted that various sports, including football, boxing, and athletics, have not performed well in recent competitions, raising questions about the effectiveness of the officials and

Read full articlethe Sports Ministry's strategies.

In a discussion on Joy News' Prime Take with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, Dr. Luguterah criticized the current priorities in sports management.

"Our focus is misplaced in this country regarding sports. We tend to imitate others without understanding their success strategies," he stated.

He stressed the importance of building a solid foundation: “We often say the United States secures funding for sports, so we should do the same. But what groundwork did they establish to reach that point?”

Dr. Luguterah also pointed out the absence of a comprehensive sports policy in Ghana, asserting, "Policies are enforceable, while manifestos lack that binding nature."

The challenges facing Ghanaian sports are clear. For the first time since 2004, the country did not have any boxers competing in the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Black Stars, who last claimed the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1982, have been eliminated in the group stages of the past two tournaments.

Moreover, Ghana's track and field athletes have not won an Olympic medal in over fifty years.