Accra, April 7, GNA - Prince Ernest Oduro- Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC) has tasked the various Regional Sports Development Officers (RSDO), to organise sporting events to open up their respective regions.

He said sports has multiple benefits, which if properly galvanised could improve the economic, political and social environment and ensure the development of the country.

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer made these remarks when he met the ten RSDO's in Kumasi to outline his Vision Statement for the Council.

A Press Release issued by the Head of Public Relations of the Council, Hammah Hamid Issakah copied to the GNA Sports in Accra said at the one-day meeting, members agreed that the new Vision Statement had the potential to turn Ghana sports around for the better. The members unanimously agreed to study the Vision Statement and to beef it up into a Strategic Plan for accelerated sports development in the country.

The Vision states that "A healthy people means a wealthy people and sports could unify the nation, improve well being as well as instil discipline and reduce poverty in the society".

Prince Oduro-Mensah also emphasised the need for the revival of the annual National Sports Festival, adding that efforts are being made to organise the 2006 edition. He therefore called on the corporate world to support the organisation of the event with cash and other incentives to enable the successful organisation of the event.

The Chief Executive also disclosed that permission had been granted for the Council to fill about 40 vacancies created as a result of retirements, resignations and deaths of staff of the Council.

He stressed that most vacancies would be filled by technical personal who would be posted to the regions and districts throughout the country. The RSDO's pledged their unflinching support for the new CEO and unanimously agreed to study the Vision Statement to ensure its implementation.

They also promised to work harder to produce young talents for both domestic and international competitions since the statement has the potential of turning sports around in the country. Prince Oduro-Mensah said mass non-competitive sports would receive the necessary boast to encourage more people to participate regularly in sports programmes.

The Vision Statement looks at many areas including the state of sports infrastructure, sports development and promotion, sports tourism, technical co-operation, media partnership, finance and marketing and sponsorship.

The CEO and his team later visited the Baba Yara Sports stadium which is under rehabilitation and expressed satisfaction with the level of works so far done.

The Managing Director of Consar, Mr Stefano Ramella, the main contractors said the first phase of the project that involves the demolition of the VVIP stand was completed on scheduled and they would soon move to the next of works.