I support demolition of Accra Sports Stadium but … – NSA DG

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, the Acting Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has expressed support for the demolition and rebuilding of the Accra Sports Stadium, but warns that it would be impractical in the near future due to the absence of alternative venues. The stadium has undergone multiple renovations throughout the years, yet it still fails to meet the necessary standards set by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for hosting international matches.

Several MPs on the Select Committee on Youth and Sports have criticized the stadium, labeling it a "death trap" and advocating for its demolition. However, during an interview with Joy Sports, Osei Sarpong stated that closing the stadium without arranging for alternative venues would pose challenges for Ghana's national teams. He highlighted that the stadium has been a crucial venue for matches featuring both the senior and youth national teams, male and female, and it previously served as the only certified stadium capable of hosting such fixtures.

Osei Sarpong acknowledged that in the long run, demolishing and rebuilding the Accra Sports Stadium would be advantageous, but in the short term, it is not feasible. He emphasized that if the stadium were to be demolished without making alternative arrangements, Ghana might be compelled to host some of its home matches abroad, which would entail significant financial burdens for the government and football authorities.

He added, "If we are going to demolish it, were we going to play our home games outside the country? That was going to come with some financial burdens more than what we will require to play our matches at home." Osei Sarpong confirmed that a complete reconstruction of the stadium would be beneficial in the long term, but he stressed that alternative venues must be secured first to accommodate the national teams during the construction period.

He reiterated, "For me, I'll support the demolition and reconstruction of the Accra Sports Stadium in the long term, but not in the short term."