Kumasi, April 14, GNA - The Technical Director in-charge of the Handball Association of Ghana (HAG), Mr Beresford Ogbamey Mensah Amui, has stressed the need for the nation to prioritize the development of basketball to derive the needed benefits at international competitions. Mr Amui described the state of basketball facilities in the country very as deplorable and inadequate and said this was affecting the sport in its development to an appreciable standard.

"The country cannot even boast of a single basketball indoor arena", he observed, noting that this has over the years deprived the nation of her ability to host even a single international tournament. Mr Amui said this in an interview wit the GNA Sports in Kumasi after the two-day National Athletics Championships which ended at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium at the weekend. The Technical Director cited the massive investment in basketball by Angola which rakes in about 18 million dollars annually as enticement fee and bonuses in their participation towards international competitions.

Mr Amui stressed the need for Ghana to replicate the Angolan experience by instituting pro-active measures to attract the necessary investment in the sport to ensure its total development. As to his views about the athletics meet, Mr Amui commended the participating teams for being disciplined and said athletics clubs and school authorities should take advantage of the renovated tartan tracks at the various stadia to improve upon the skills of their athletes.