The Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) presented some basic equipment to the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Volta and Central Regions on Saturday in a held at the National Hockey Pitch, Accra. The equipment made up of 25 high quality composite sticks, 30 hockey balls, one set of new good quality goalkeepers? protective gear and a set of used goalie protective gear were presented to each of the 4 Regions, Central region having received theirs during the recent Fetu Afahye hockey fiesta organized in Cape Coast.
In the short speech delivered by the Chairman of the GHA, Oko-Nikoi Dzani, he indicated the development drive the Association has embarked on had made it necessary to engage the Regions and to empower them to lead the development agenda after they were inaugurated during the year. He encouraged the regions to put the items to good use and to put in place internal structures and support systems to enhance the organization of competitions, especially a formidable league competition. He also reminded the Associations of the on-going schools development programme being pursued in conjunction with the Ghana Education Service in selected regions and requested that they forge a strong linkage with their activities.
Handing over the items, the GHA vice chairman and members in charge of Development Mr. Richard Akpokavie charged the Regional Associations to sustain the interest shown and to seek support from corporate institutions within the regions to advance the development.
The Chairman of the Greater Accra Hockey Association Frank Awuku and the Secretary of the Association Dr. M. Aikins also encouraged the regions to work closely together and to strive to improve at all times.
The representative of the Volta Region thanked the GHA on behalf of the regions for the gesture and assured the Association that the items will be put to good use for the development of hockey in the regions in particular and the country in general.