The Third IC-PASHDA conference scheduled from 19th -21st September, 2018 at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) Conference hall at the University of Ghana, Legon, would have Dr Pierce speaking on the topic, "Strengthening and Conditioning".

Dr. Pierce, speaking ahead of the program noted that strengthening and conditioning is a very important aspect of sports, which is usually ignored by athletes especially in Africa.

"Every sport has is particular strengthening exercises, which cannot be ignored by athletes and when done properly, would ensure that an athlete become very fit for whichever sport he/she does".

According to him strengthening and conditioning would help improve upon training for athletes and eventually enhance performance.

"People feel that, as long as they worked out and lifted weight, then they are fit and it would enhance their performance but that myth has been dispelled, people need to train separately for strength and conditioning in order to excel," he stated.

He said outside Africa, athletes have personal trainers, that take them through strength related regimes to the particular sport they are engaged in, as well as the conditioning aspect, which must be encouraged in Ghana and Africa at large.

Dr. Pierce, who is a lecturer at the Louisiana State University in Shreveport, USA said he would also introduce the idea of certification for strengthening and conditioning, in order for Ghana to have some coaches in that area.

That he said, would go a long way to ensure that people aside athletes gain the needed strength to carry out their daily activities.

Dr. Pierce commenting on the conference, which is expected to bring sports men and women, academia and industry players together said he was looking forward to a very interesting conference as he would learn and share ideas, with other speakers that would come from several parts of the world.

Dr. Pierce is a former weightlifter and his studies in kinesiology are most often applied to sports and athletic performance.

The event under the theme 'Inclusive and Innovative Physical Activity, Sports and Health Education for Sustainable Development in Africa,' would be preceded by a workshop on 18th September, 2018 in areas including, Right to Play (using physical activities to solve academic problems or to learn), teaching visually impaired persons by using physical activities, lessons for keep fit instructors and sports management.