Richard Kofi Akpokavie, the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), has an important message for the leaders of sports groups in Ghana: athletes should always come first! He reminded everyone that without athletes, there wouldn’t be any sports organizations to lead.
During a two-day meeting in Koforidua, Mr. Akpokavie talked about how the GOC is dedicated to creating a strong Athletes Commission. This group will help make sure that athletes’ opinions and needs are heard loud and clear.
Mr. Akpokavie also mentioned that the GOC will keep providing help for athletes through grants and scholarships. This support will help them train better and get ready for competitions. The goal is to create a fun and high-performing environment for all athletes.
He encouraged the leaders of sports groups to work together with the GOC to create a lasting impact on sports in Ghana. Mr. Akpokavie wants a future where companies already know about the GOC before they are approached for support. This can happen if everyone works together to share the good things about their sports organizations and the GOC.
While giving a presentation about the GOC’s strengths and weaknesses, Mr. Akpokavie explained that it’s important for sports groups to know how to improve their image and the GOC’s image too. He pointed out that the GOC is recognized by important organizations like the International Olympic Committee, which is a big plus! Ghana has done well in the Olympics, and the GOC has strong leadership and good relationships with the government and sponsors.
However, he also mentioned some challenges. There are issues with finding and developing new talent, and some sports groups need to improve their management and marketing.
On the bright side, Mr. Akpokavie talked about many opportunities. There are lots of companies and media outlets that could partner with sports organizations. Plus, using digital tools can help engage fans and build brand value, especially with young people who are the future of sports.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Mr. Akpokavie warned that there are threats like political interference in sports, low public trust because of past issues, and athletes leaving the country for better support.
He urged the leaders of sports groups to put into action what they learned during the meeting for everyone’s benefit. Mr. Akpokavie also said he is always available for more discussions to help everyone grow and succeed together.