Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG)= on Friday organized a forum on re-branding sports in the country to sensitiz= e the sporting media on its relevance in the development of sports. The one-day event on the theme: "Re-branding Ghana sports; the role of the media", was organized in partnership with, MTN Ghana and Stanbic Bank=

and the event also provided the platform for the media to be enlightened on the significance of re-branding in sports and their role in achieving the=

desired targets. Magnus Rex Danquah, Executive Chairman of RICS Consult highlighted t= he importance of brainstorming sessions with staff and personnel of sports associations on the core values of re-branding, objectives and processes with consultations also with various stakeholders including Advertisers Association of Ghana (AAG0, Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG)= , Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) amongst others. With the National Sports Council (NSC) as his reference, the Execut= ive Chairman encouraged the need for marketing and advertising support for th= e re-branding process, establishing international relations with ministries= , registration of trademarks and imageries to protect the new brand. Rex Danquah, who was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also tasked the NSC to define all marketable opportunities and rights available to be associated with the need to branding including stadia management as well as the bidding and hosting for major competitions to grow sports at the grassroots level.

Worlanyo Agrah, Chief Executive Officer of the NSC said that his out= fit has experienced several changes since the launching of the re-branding process this year. He said the exercise comes with some challenges, both resource and financial and that the approval by Government will speed the execution of=

their plans and objectives and also the need for cooperation of the gener= al public. Prosper Harrison Addo, legal representative of MTN Ghana and Mawuko Afadzinu, Public Affairs Manager of Stanbic Bank also tasked t= he media to play their role effectively in the packaging of sports to make i= t attractive in line with the re-branding process. Ackah Anthony, President of SWAG commended the participants for the cooperation towards the programme and assured of similar fora to sensitiz= e the sporting media contribute towards the development of sports in the country.