Minister of Youth and Sports, Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, has announced a facelift for the Kaladan Park at the Tamale Municipality in the Northern Region. The move is aimed at uplifting sports infrastructure across the country especially in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. Mr Pelpuo who made the announcement at the ‘Meet the Press’ Series on Tuesday, in Accra expressed shock at the current state of the Tamale-based football park. The Kaladan Park, formerly grounds of the only existing premiership club in the Northern Region, Real Tamale United (RTU) has been abandoned following the construction of the ultra-modern Sports Stadium during the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. The ‘Pride of the North’ has since relocated to the Tamale Stadium, leaving the Kaladan Park at the mercy of the weather and nature. According to Mr Pelpuo, the Park has been swallowed up by drenches, hence the need for a major facelift to serve its intended purpose. The Minister explained that the National Sports Council (NSC) has prepared a budget to uplift and re-grass the Kaladan Park to serve the people of the Tamale Metropolis. He also ‘cried out’ in astonishment as to how a park in Navrongo has metamorphosed into a rice and maize farm and abandoned to its fate. “I have ordered that the falling walls be replaced and get the facility back to its original state”, he said. Addressing a wide range of issues related to Youth and Sports, Mr Pelpuo reiterated Government’s support towards the provision of basic infrastructure to achieve desired goals. On the headquarters of the National Youth Council, formerly Kaneshie Sports Complex, he assured that Government has made funds available for the completion of the Office complex and uplifting of the deteriorating state of sports facilities. The completion, he said is being done in collaboration with a private firm, which is in line with Government’s support for the private sector participation in Sports development. Mr Pelpuo also stated that the name of the Complex will become “Azumah Nelson Youth and Sports Complex” instead of the current “Azumah Nelson Sports Complex.” With respect to the status of the National Sports College located in Winneba, he gave the assurance the institute will remain autonomous. He dismissed reports about the Institute’s consummation by the University of Education, Winneba. “The National Sports College won’t be part of the University of Education. We have secured a parcel of land and fencing will soon begin.” The Minister again assured that his Ministry is bent on making the Institute the best Sports training centre around. Mr Pelpuo also urged those who handle national teams to consider players from the Institute’s Academy for the various national teams. Black Satellites duo, Samuel Inkoom and Abeiku Quansah are among the recent products of the Academy. Source: GNA