Winneba, (CR) Jan. 23, GNA - Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, Sector Minister in charge of Tertiary Education has said that government would not shirk its responsibility in the promotion and development of sports in the country.

She said the Ministry was therefore committed to making providing adequate playing fields in all disciplines of sports in all schools from kindergarten to the Universities.

Ms Ohene said these on behalf of the Minister of Education and Sports, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo at the opening ceremony of the 19th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games at Winneba that started at the week-end.

In a welcome address, Prof. J. Anomua Mensah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of GUSA adding that schools' sports programme has helped to improve the fitness of the youth and to nurture hidden kinetic talents.

Prof. Mensah said that the issue of physical education deserves serious consideration world wide, and that "we have to start from the kindergarten level and develop the youth through a systematic programme through the secondary and colleges.

He adding that, "unless we catch them young and train them we cannot develop world class sportsmen and women".

The Vice Chancellor called on the Ministry to improve physical education in schools, saying that the practice of penalising students by using P.E. as a form of punishment should cease.

He said GUSA should consider expanding the participating of institutions in the games to include all private universities so as help in strengthening collegiality and in unearthing talents for national assignments.

Prof. A. Mensah advised the sports men and women to exercise self-control and to refrain from all acts of indiscipline so as not to mar the beauty of the games.

He expressed appreciation to the Ghana Commercial Bank, the GETFUND and the Awutu District Assembly for the immense support without which we could not have hosted the event.

The DCE for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, Mr. Solomon K. A. Quaye commended GUSA and the amalgamated sports clubs in various universities for sustaining programmes to raise dedicated, disciplined and self motivated sportsmen and women.

Mr. Quaye expressed concern about the stigmatization and social neglect towards people living with HIV/AIDS and appealed to all to offer them the needed care and support.

Prof. C.N.B Tagoe Ag. VC (UG), Prof. Kwasi Andam VC (KNUST), Rev. Prof. E.A. Obeng VC (UCC), Prof. J.B. Kaburise VC (UDS), Prof. D. Mireku-Gyima VC (UM&T) graced the occasion.

The Vice Chancellors issued solidarity messages one of which read, "As fair play demands, we entreat all the participants to exhibit a high level of maturity and good sportsmanship to promote cooperation and good-will among the various academic institutions". Mr. A. Denkabe, GUSA President praised the participants and the university authorities for ensuring years of uninterrupted and committed process of upgrading sports into the school curriculum for the past 38 years.

In the Women's Soccer match University of Education, Winnneba (UEW) were spanked 0 - 5 by University of Ghana While Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) also lost 0-2 to University of Ghana in the mens Soccer match.