President of the Ghana Cricket Association (GCA), Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah Asare has relaunched Cricket in Ghana after 100 years of the sport in Ghana, during the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Trophy Tour in Ghana for 2-days (September 22-24).
The former Vice President, who was recently elected into office for his second (four-year) term was emphatic on the fact that there is nothing to show for the gentleman’s game here in Ghana, citing the use of concrete and mats turf for so long.
Speaking at the cocktail night at the Australia High Commission on Friday, September 23, 2022, Asare called for the support of all stakeholders to soar high the sport, with the possibility of a stadium.
“I urge all of you to support and partner with us, so that we can be able to develop at least one stadium, for us to be able to soar up. We have talents here but very handicapped. So, my clarion call to you, come on board, support us, partner with us and let us see what we can do to actually prepare favorably for 2023 African Games. So, as we talk about how excited we are, we are also considering how this trophy tour has now opened up things for us.”
“I am using this platform to relaunch Cricket in Ghana, after 100 years. Cricket has been there but not very visible but from today onwards, we are hoping that what has happened with the trophy tour, people will now be more aware of what it is and we will try to now go into the schools properly to see how we can soar up the growth from the grass roots and take it forward.”
“Cricket has a very rich heritage in Ghana. We have had the sport here for over 100 years, but we don’t have much to show. Way back in 1960 when we had our own first international ground, it has still been the case till today. And for all these years, we have been playing our Cricket on concrete surface, with the mats.” He earlier stated.
Upon getting Cricket to be included in the upcoming African Games for the first time, the ICC gave support to the GCA to get turf wickets constructed at the Achimota Ovals A & B, which began in April this year and almost ready for use.
It is however going to be the first time, that Cricket will be played at the African Games and it is a privilege for the ICC, as they also bid the IOC for Cricket to be considered in the Olympic Games.
That also inspired the ICC, to further create awareness of the sport by selecting Ghana, among 12 countries for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, and the last country before Australia hosts the tournament in October & November.
Ghana, was the second African country, apart from Namibia (participants of T20 World Cup), to have witnessed the Trophy Tour driven by Nissan.
