The National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied reports that the recently constructed sports complex used for the 2023 African Games, the Borteyman Sports Complex, has been leased out for church activities.
There were videos making rounds over the weekend of some persons inside the main hall of the facility with church banners behind them.
Borteyman sports complex my people. Why do we do this to ourselves? Which type of useless country is this? How are our leaders (misleaders) so incompetent? pic.twitter.com/AAv1VU6zb2
— Ayigbe Farmer🇬ðŸ‡ðŸ‡¹ðŸ‡¬ðŸ‡§ðŸ‡¯ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡¬ (@SSS_Promotion) June 22, 2024
However, in a press statement on Tuesday, June 25, the Authority insists this was not the case.
Venue Manager of the facility Majeed Bawa, who signed the statement, said those seen in the video were students on tour at the newly constructed edifice.
“A letter sent to us stated that ‘the SRC of the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, Valley View University, and other institutions requested a special visitation to the Borteyman Sports Complex as part o of the newest attraction in Accra’. They intended to tour the facilities at the venue,” the statement explained.
“A church was supposed to provide transportation for the students, and subsequently, a Deputy Minister was scheduled to give them a lecture on leadership. Therefore, they were granted access to the hall for this purpose
“On the day of the visit, the facility had just hosted a two-day Badminton competition, and the equipment was still in place.
“The students entered the hall and sat down for the lecture from the Deputy Minister, who had not arrived.”
Mr Majeed Bawa indicated that he was present during the tour of the students and spotted the church banner.
“The explanation provided was that the Church facilitated the trip, hence the presence of the banners. It is important to note that there were many Muslim students in attendance, some of whom were wearing hijab.
“It is, therefore, surprising and unfortunate that stories have emerged suggesting the facility was handed out for a Church programme.”
The Authority apologised for the “confusion” and “distress” the reports may have created, assuring the public that “the Borteyman Sports Complex remains a facility dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community”.
