By Albert Parker Narteh
The National Paralympic Committee, under the leadership of President Sampson Deen, has held a successful extraordinary Congress to decide on realigning the Committee.
The Congress was organised for three main purposes: consideration of membership fees, approval of new para sports, amendment of Article 2 memberships, and date for elections for the NPC general assembly.
After deliberation from stakeholders at the Extraordinary Congress, the House agreed on October 4 as the month for the election of new leadership to steer the affairs of the committee.
The house also approved one thousand cedis as membership fee for the various federations under the NPC.
Congress gave overwhelming support for five new disciplines to be added to the already existing three disciplines to make it eight under blind sports in Ghana.
The Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Evans Bobie Ansah, said the Minister is aware of the division among some sections of the NPC, which has ended up in court.
He stressed the importance of the extraordinary Congress, hoping it would help in putting matters to rest at the top hierarchy of the NPC.
Speaking to Journalists, President of the National Paralympic Committee Sampson Deen, said he was “happy the purpose of the extraordinary Congress has been achieved regardless of the difference among some officials of the NPC”.
The President of the Africa Paralympic Committee also mentioned that he is ready to run for re-election to secure a second term during the election Congress on October 4, 2024.
He said his administration has chalked up some successes in spite of the challenges.
Mr. Deen also mentioned Ghana’s participation in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games in Japan, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the UK, and the hosting of the 13th Africa Games in Ghana, among others, as some of his achievements since taking over the leadership of NPC.
“My target is to see more Ghana para athletes qualify for the major Olympics games in Paris this year and other major para champions.”
The President of Blind Sports in Ghana, Anthony Gyanining, was happy that Athletics, Swimming, Bowling, Show down sports(Tennis), Cycling have been added to the existing ones like Judo, Goalball, and Blind Football.
He said this will help bring on board more disabled persons to find their potential in sports.
