Accra, May 16, GNA - Mr. Benson Tongo Baba, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has called for support for their sponsorship drive for future International Games. The GOC on Friday launched its innovative four-year sponsorship plan for future Games and Mr Baba urged organizations, institutions and individuals within and abroad to support the plan. The GOC president explained that the drive intended for competition, namely Youth Olympics in Singapore 2010, Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010, All Africa Games in Maputo 2011 and London Olympic Games in 2012 was to raise funds well ahead of the events.

"The aim of this initiative is to mobilize resources for future games beginning 2010. "We are also urging Ghanaians in the Diaspora to respond to our clarion call." Mr Baba commended loyal sponsors of the GOC for their tremendous support throughout the years and pledged to strengthen the partnership to achieve desired goals and development of sport. Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports also lauded the timeline for the initiative which he said was a clear departure of the usual norm, w here such plans are launched in the competition year. He appealed to corporate bodies to throw their weight behind the sponsorship drive while urging that his outfit will facilitate tax relief for companies that support sports.

The Deputy Minister also assured of Government support for the initiative, which he described as positive in the nation's bid to reclaim its place among the elite sports nations.

The well attended event graced by the presence of the cr=E8me dela cr=E8me of the sporting fraternity and the corporate world also saw the unveiling of the logo for the initiative themed "Arise Ghana, Arise for Gold."

The GOC also presented certificates of recognition to corporate bodies and the media for their long standing support. Veteran Sports Journalist, Christian Abbew, an Editor with the Ghanaian Times was also decorated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President's Award.

The innovative four-year sponsorship plan is the brainchild of Sports Leisure Entertainment Media communications (SLEMCO) and ABORS Multi-media limited.