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The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Rashid Pelpuo has stressed the need for collaboration between government, embassies and the corporate bodies towards the construction of multi-purpose sports halls in catchment across the country. Mr Pelpuo said since the development of sports is a priority of the ministry, all avenues would be sort to ensure that various sporting events are developed and encouraged to achieve the desired results. The Minister said this on Thursday, at the inauguration a plush 500,000 dollar gym facility at the Ohene Djan Sports stadium in Accra. The gym, which is a collaboration between the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Embassy of Japan is stuffed with over 30 ultra-modern equipment and is located in a fully air conditioned premises at the base of the 44,000 capacity arena. Mr Pelpuo said the facility is a unique opportunity for the use of not only athletes but it is the first of its kind to be open for the use of the public. He said it is also an opportunity for the youth and the aged to train and keep fit through consistent training and therefore urged the sporting public to make use of the facilities to stay healthy at all times. The Minister commended the collaboration with the Japanese Embassy, the Australian Outreach programme and the Korean Government for their continued assistance towards the development of sporting talents in the country. The multi-purpose gym which is aimed at facilitating exercises for athletes and the general public has a toilet facility and a shower provision for both male and female participants as well as a Public Address (PA) system. Mr Keiichi Katakami, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana said the inauguration of the facility is opportune because it has been more than five years since the Exchange of Note to grant 43.6 million Japanese Yen (500,000 US dollars) was concluded. He said the purpose of the initial grant was help the NSC with gym equipment that includes treadmills, chest press machines and dumb bells and it is the hope that the equipment is properly used to nurture young Ghanaians in various fields of sports such as the success of the Black Satellites to further enhance friendly relationship between the two countries. Mr Worlanyo Agrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Council told GNA Sports that the inauguration of the gym and medical facility will be opened to sportsmen and women and the general public in the Council's quest to encourage a sporty and healthy society. The NSC capo was buoyant that both facilities will serve a tremendous purpose for the various sporting disciplines, the national teams and various sportsmen and women. The gym which is the first ever at any of the stadiums in the country will have instructors to take patrons through the various regimes.