Wa, Jan. 28, GNA - Dr Henry Pufaa, Chairman of the board of the National Sports Council has asked the Upper West Region to come out with a strategic sports development plan based on existing structures and manpower to reverse the decline of sports in the region. Briefing media personnel and other stakeholders in the Region on strategies to revamp the Region's sporting activities at Wa on Thursday, he urged the authorities to identify the right people for the administration of sports at the Regional and District levels. Dr Pufaa who is a senior lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, urged Sports Development Officer to devise ways of encouraging sponsorship from both individuals and corporate bodies to help promote sports to raise the image of the region.

The Chairman tasked the Region to endeavour to get a team to qualify into the Premier soccer league within the next three years. Dr Pufaa said a new Sports Bill would soon be placed before Parliament and the Region would be expected to play an active role of sending her contributions and observations for their own benefit. He urged the District Assemblies to assist the Regional Sports Council to draw up a plan for generating income internally to supplement government's subvention.

Dr Pufaa also suggested the levying of about ten cedis on every litre of petroleum product sold in the Region to be used towards sports development.

The Chairman called on all citizens of the Region to assist in the establishment of what he termed, a "Regional Olympic City" and a Regional Sports Hall of Fame as directed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.