Stakeholders in the sporting fraternity have been urged to assist government to revive second cycle schools football competitions like the Milo and Volta Aluminum Company Limited (VALCO) tournaments.
Mr Michael Okoto, Physical Education Coordinator for the Eastern Region, call on corporate organizations to help revive the games.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he indicated that sponsorship packages from Valco and Milo was withdrawn 13 years and 4 years ago respectively and that has affected football at that level.
Mr Okoto said government’s Gh 0.70 pesewas subvention to every second cycle student to assist sports is not regular and though the 2014/2015 academic year is drawing to a close, schools are yet to receive the support of government.
He added that if the subvention was to come regularly, sports administrators in schools could manage to organize more attractive sporting activities for the students.
He explained that, the VALCO and Milo systems brought out many national and international football products like Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, John Paintsil, Sani Mohammed, Prince Tagoe, Obed Ansah, Harrison Afful and a host of other brilliant players who graced the Black Stars, junior national teams and local leagues.
Mr Okoto indicated that the packages from Milo and VALCO were handsome that participating schools that qualifies at the regional level to the national event are presented with jerseys, boots and products of the companies and cash prizes, which helped the schools to prepare for subsequent tournaments.
He explain that for second cycle football to become attractive again, there must be corporate organizations willing to invest in second cycle schools football and the Ghana Education Service(GES) structuring their calendar to meet the demand.
Mr Okoto urged heads of second cycle schools to enroll footballers and other athletes on protocols and give them scholarships to help revive sports in schools and explained that some of the athletes might not have good grades but through sports they could grow to contribute meaningful to the national economy in future.
Mr Okoto said if there were adequate resources, P.E teachers would have refresher courses from time to time to upgrade their knowledge and skill to impact on the students.
Mr Okoto was the P.E teacher who took Pope John Senior High and Seminary School to win the 1999 VALCO tournament, 2000 Milo tournament and runners up in the 2001 edition of Milo. He also coached the 1999 Ghana Academicals soccer team.
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