Sunyani, (B/A) May 3, GNA - Mr. Kofi Duku-Duodu, Brong Ahafo Regional Sports Development Officer has said that acts of indiscipline by both sports men and women has been one of the contributory factors to the decline of sports in the country.

He noted that most great sports men and women do not combine discipline, hard work and their sporting activities but which were the bedrock of success.

Mr Duku-Duodu who was briefing the GNA Sports on some of the problems encountered by the Region in sports development in Sunyani, said that most often acts of indiscipline, exhibited by some sportsmen and women were covered and glossed over when it came to identifying factors hindering sports development.

"Some of our sports men and women who had what it takes to lift high the flag of Ghana crumbled when a lot is expected of them due to lack of discipline", the Regional Sports Development Officer added. Mr. Duku-Duodu noted that lack of the requisite personnel to handle the various disciplines, coupled with the absence of basic infrastructure had denied the Region the opportunity of erecting the necessary pillars for sports development and promotion.

The Sports Development Officer expressed regret that even when talents were unearthed, lack of monetary rewards and other incentives to motivate the sports men and women were not made available. He said the Regional Sports Council would however do everything possible to revive sports in the region despite the constraints. The Regional Sports Development Officer said that the Council would soon be reconstituted and only executive members with interest in sports would be selected to oversee the day-to-day activities to ensure effective sports development.

Mr Duku-Duodu said that sporting events such as athletics, volleyball, basketball, hockey, boxing and table tennis would soon be revived and that coaches for athletics and boxing have been posted to the region to help unearth talents. He said he would liaise with the District Assemblies and other stakeholders to organise regular competitions to unearth talents and regain the Region's past glory since it was once the country's sports basket for national sportsmen and women.