Accra, June 5, GNA - Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Minister of Youth and Sports on Friday said government is keen on ensuring equal development and promotion of all sporting disciplines in the country. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first ever North-West Africa Women's Rugby Tournament at the El Wak Stadium, in Accra, the Minister said the era of neglect of lesser known sports is over, adding that every sporting discipline will be given the needed attention and opportunity to develop.

"All sporting disciplines are important and we cannot afford to neglect some at the expense of others". The Minister stated. Alhaji Mubarak said the organization of the rugby tournament in Ghana was an indication that the sport was gaining popularity in the country with the youth keenly gradually embracing it. He called on the participants to ensure fair play in the course of the competition as sports is meant to unite people and not dive them. Mr Worlanyo Agrah, acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC) commended the Ghana Rugby Association (GRA) for organizing the tournament adding that its popularity in the country will keep the youth from deviant behaviour.

He expressed the hope that the competition will serve as the platform of popularizing the game in the country and was confident great players will emerge from the tournament.

Ghana is hosting seven other countries in the first ever North-West Africa Women's Rugby Tournament, with Togo, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Egypt participating in two day event.

The tournament is being funded by the International Rugby Board (IRB) with 12,000 US dollars with support from the National Sports Council (NSC).