Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - A Public Relations and Sports Marketing Consultant, Magnus Rex Danquah, has stressed on the need for an economic impact assessment of sports for a fuller appreciation of the role of sports as an instrument for national development.

Rex Danquah said such an assessment should also quantify its strategic importance for national development planning and its use as an economic indicator.

The Consultant made these observations at the 1st International Ghana Physical Education and Sports Think Tank Conference under the theme; "Sports as an Instrument for National Development".

Mr Danquah said it would require a reputable consultancy firm to undertake an economic and financial impact assessment of sports development and promotion in the country including all sports related activities. The report, he said, should also cover such impact at all levels from the districts through regional to national, adding that it should also establish the role of the District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies in the provision of sporting facilities through the allocation of percentage of their share of the District Assembly's Common Fund.

Mr Danquah also called for an increase in the percentage of the national revenue allocated to the Fund from the current 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent so that they would be empowered to provide such services. "Through that we would begin to curb the rural - urban drift through the engagement of our youth in various sporting disciplines for the enhancement of their talents and skills for self improvement and possible selection into national teams for international assignments," he said

Mr Danquah said hosting and organization of the Ghana 2008 Nations Cup and the Ghana 2009 Hockey Africa Cup for Nations Championships bequeathed to the nation significant legacies including six all-purpose stadia - Accra, El-Wak, Kumasi, Tamale, Sekondi-Essipon and the National Hockey Stadium. Fourteen training pitches - some for selected Senior Secondary Schools at the four venues; new arrival and departure lounges at the Takoradi Airport; rehabilitation of the Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi Airports runways to enable night flights.

The other benefit is the construction of the UDS Hostel Project in Tamale and donation of eight VW vehicles to form the bulk of the transportation pool for the new Ministry of Youth and Sports. He said also bequeathed as legacies were fourteen Toyota vehicles, two Land Cruisers, five Hilux Pickups, three Avensis Saloon cars and four Corolla saloon cars; in addition to a considerable quantity of office furniture and equipment. A greater number of computers were also donated to selected Senior Secondary Schools for their e - library set ups, he added.