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Director of Communications at Ghana Football Association [GFA], Ibrahim Sannie Daara has lauded President John Dramni Mahama for addressing some loopholes in Ghana’s sports during his State of the Nation Address.

According to him, the president made history as a sitting president to have given sports such attention when addressing the nation.

He noted that, all what the president said concerning the neglecting of “so-called lesser known sports” and the unattractiveness of the local league are issues that need urgent courtesy.

“I would have to commend the president for all that he said. I might say Ghana is yet to have a president like President Mahama who has much interest in sports to the extent of addressing concerned issues during his State of the Nation Address. We [GFA] are very grateful,” he said.

Addressing the nation on sports, President Mahama opined that “Government will this year, put a desirable focus on other sporting disciplines other than football, in order to contribute to their growth and the winning of more international medals and competitions.

“…I agree with managers of our "lesser-known" sports that we can win more international medals. Government will also partner with corporate Ghana to support the programmes of the various sporting associations this year including the Swimming Association, which is producing very brilliant and fast swimmers winning medals in international competitions”. 

President Mahama further said “I wish to once again congratulate the senior national team, the Black Stars for their performance at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament. Many Ghanaians lost hope in the Black Stars ahead of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea. They gathered themselves together, rose from the ashes of Brazil 2014 and proved themselves.”

However, speaking on OKAY FM’s "Ade Akye Abia" programme, Sannie Daara noted that the GFA will do what it takes to make the local league attractive but admitted that wouldn’t be an easy task.

He insisted that, violent at various stadia, selling of attractive players as well as live telecast of foreign leagues are key issues “killing” Ghana’s local leagues.

Sannie mentioned that, soon measures will be taking to restrict the live telecast of foreign league matches in the country.

An action he claims England has adopted over the years to make its league successful and attractive.