South African sports company, Gimtrac ready to do business in Ghana

Gimtrac Gym and track equipment from South Africa have expressed the desire to supply their manufactured sports goods to Ghana and hopes that Ghanaian sports companies would do business with them.

Introducing the company to Ghanaian sports personalities at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium last Wednesday, Mr. Chaka Croukamp, the company liaison said their business has existed since 1979 and supplied most sports equipment used at the All African Games in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Gerhard Ferreira hinted that Gimtrac is very much interested in doing business with African countries and they have observed that Ghana has a stable political environment, with a dynamic private sector to collaborate foreign partners. He noted that the South African banking sector advises investment in Ghana and has given thumbs up for foreign trade. He said Gimtrac equipment are manufactured to international standard norm and the IAAF as well as other international sports bodies like FIFA have approved their products which are used for international competitions and by educational institutions in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, just to name a few.

Mr. Ferreira advised Ghanaian sports organisers to incorporate school sports in their programmes and develop kids who are interested in sports at a tender age so that they grow with the experience and expertise. He also advised that not all sports goods are durable as most goods from China have entered the sports market and are not of the expected quality.

On payment terms, he said any interested partner must be prepare to 50% deposit and with the support of the Ghana government, the goods would be supplied depending of the quantity and type, as they are into athletics, football, rugby, volleyball, cricket, badminton, hockey, netball, tennis, table tennis, boxing, gymnastics, wrestling, taekwondo, judo, baseball and soft ball, the manufacture of electronic and manual score boards, goal posts, mats and gym equipment. The deputy minister of youth and sports, Hon. Joseph Yamin who welcomed Gimtrac congratulated the company for their great record and prayed that Ghana would also benefit from their quality products. He emphasised that Gimtrac has been contacted to support in the building of a boxing gym at Bukom in Accra and the country needs more of such business partners. He observed that Ghana needs much equipment to develop the lesser known sports and Gimtrac would be granted the full support and tax rebates if they honour their promises. The acting director general of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Madam Alice Attipoe said equipment and infrastructure are the major components of sports development and sports performers are identified by the equipment used as professionals or amateurs.

She advised that the right equipment should be used and Gimtrac had come in at the right time when Ghana sports is looking for a partner to supply quality goods She noted that when Gimtrac sets its production line in Ghana, employment would be created and sports performers would improve upon their skills and the nation could benefit massively. Some Ghanaian partners who contributed to Gimtrac coming to Ghana are Mr. Steve Noi, a businessman and Mr. Philip Alimo who was a volunteer and media personnel at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2013 African Cup of Nations. Contacting Gimtrac for business can be made through www.gimtrac.co.za or sales@gimtrac.co.za