Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, has discussed a proposed sports co-operation agreement with Belarus covering coach education, scholarships, sports science and the development of school and grassroots sport.
Mr Adams met Belarus’s Minister of Sports, Sergey Kovalchuk, on the sidelines of the 14th International Sports Forum “Russia: Country of Sports” in Krasnoyarsk.
The talks focused on how the two countries could strengthen the systems supporting athlete development, with Ghana particularly interested in Belarus’s approach to coaching and technical education.
“Coaching and training is really key,” Mr Adams said, as he outlined the importance of improving the expertise of Ghanaian coaches and the support provided to younger athletes.
Mr Kovalchuk said Belarus was prepared to examine scholarship and technical-training opportunities for Ghanaian coaches through its state universities and specialised sporting institutions.
He identified wrestling, rowing and weightlifting as sports in which the two countries could explore closer co-operation.
Mr Adams also said any future partnership should create educational opportunities for young Ghanaians, particularly in areas linked to the growth of school and grassroots sport.
“We have so many areas we have to collaborate in,” he said.
Sports science and medical support
Sports science and medicine were also central to the discussions. Mr Kovalchuk described Belarus’s investment in a dedicated sports science and medical centre, as well as its network of specialised sports schools and Olympic training institutions.
Mr Adams welcomed that investment and said Ghana was interested in training opportunities that could help build expertise in sports science and medical support for athletes.
The proposed agreement would therefore link international collaboration with practical priorities within Ghana’s domestic sports system, including the development of qualified coaches, stronger school sports structures and access to specialist knowledge throughout an athlete’s progression.
Mr Kovalchuk recognised Ghana’s achievements in football, boxing and Olympic competition, saying both countries had experience and strengths from which they could learn.
The ministers also referred to President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to Belarus earlier this year. Mr Adams noted that agriculture had been a key focus of that visit and welcomed the prospect of extending relations into sports development.
Mr Kovalchuk invited Mr Adams to visit Belarus and suggested the proposed memorandum could be signed during that trip once its terms had been agreed.
Mr Adams said he was interested in examining the Belarusian system first-hand and asked for a draft memorandum to be provided for consideration.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding would establish a framework for training, educational exchanges and institutional co-operation between the two countries, supporting Ghana’s efforts to provide young talent with a stronger foundation for development.
