By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh |
The Central Zone School Sports Association is set to begin their 45th edition of the Annual Inter School Sports Festival from Saturday, June 8 to Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Ho Sports Stadium in the Volta Region.
About 25 Senior High Schools in and around the Ho Municipality are battle ready to compete in games like Table Tennis, Netball, Basketball, Handball, Volleyball, Soccer, and Athletics for bragging right, honours and selection to represent the zone at the Inter Zones.
As the journey to unearthing and training talents from the zone begins on Saturday, Secretary of the Zone, Kofi Atiso said schools yet to pay their sports quota will not be allowed to participate.
“We are starting the Sports on the 8 at the Ho Sports Stadium. All schools are participating apart from that, schools that have not paid their quota fee will not participate.”
Mr. Atiso, a Physical Education teacher at the Sokode Senior High Technical School revealed that their biggest challenge to organising the sports festival is funding, outlining their inability to secure sponsorship from the corporate world.
“Currently, our challenge is funding and corporate bodies too are not willing to help. When you write the sponsorship letters, they will receive it alright but as to how to come out and help, they actually don’t do it, except a few ones that give something little but the rest, they will only give you an excuse.”
The expert soccer Coach however, believed increment of the sports quota was the best solution, as defaulting schools would pay penalties.
“The government can help but I think the executive must come to an agreement to increase the sports quota, so that we can adequately finance the activities. That is the only option we have. If you don’t pay, we will record it and you will pay penalty the next year, so it is better you pay now and be free.”
Athletes from the various disciplines will be selected to represent the zone at the Inter Zonal to be held at Nkwanta, Oti Region from July 12 to 18 for onward selection to represent the Volta/Oti regions at the National Sports Festival at Bolgatanga slated for July 23 to August 2 this year.
Mawuli School last year, swooped 6 trophies as they dominated the festival, with a total medal haul of 23; 15 Gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze, and emerged overall winners.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
