The National Sports Authority (NSA) has issued a response to criticisms from Togbe Afede XIV, Executive Board Chairman of Hearts of Oak, regarding the closure of the Accra Sports Stadium for musical concerts in December.
In a statement, Prof. Peter Twumasi, the Director General of NSA, justified the decision, emphasizing financial constraints and the need for alternative revenue sources.
According to Prof. Twumasi, football activities generate less than GH¢1000 in gate proceeds at each stadium on match days, insufficient to cover the high operational costs.
He highlighted the financial challenges faced by NSA, stating that the organization received only GH¢287,000 from the Ministry in 2022 for goods and services across the country.
The director revealed the staggering costs of preparing and maintaining stadiums, including monthly expenses such as GH¢80,000 for ECG bills in the Accra Sports Stadium alone.
Togbe Afede expressed disappointment over the suspension of football activities, questioning the logic behind prioritizing concerts over sports during the Ghana Premier League.
He criticized the decision, stating, “Somebody wakes up and suddenly closes up a sports stadium for a concert. What kind of reasoning is this? When you raise the money to maintain the stadium, is it for sports or more concerts? What is the logic here?”
The NSA emphasized the multifunctionality of stadiums, hosting various non-sporting events, including political party congresses and Independence Commemoration.
The statement underscored the importance of generating internal funds, stating that without innovative internal generation of funds (IGF), the NSA would have faced bankruptcy.
Despite an increase in daily usage charges for stadiums, the NSA claimed that sports clubs, including Hearts of Oak, were using the facilities almost free of charge, citing financial constraints.
The authority appealed for a better understanding of its financial challenges, emphasizing the need for constructive discussions to accelerate sports development.
The NSA concluded by highlighting its contribution to the development and promotion of sports at both grassroots and national levels, urging stakeholders to appreciate its role in fostering a vibrant sporting environment.