The chairman of Greater Accra Volleyball Association, Dr Edward Owusu, says his outfit has trained 41 indoor and beach volleyball referees, line judges and other officials for the 2023 African Games.
Preparation
The trainees who comprise Physical Education teachers from the Ghana Education Service (GES), volleyball players, officials and others had their training at the University of Ghana two months ago to understand the rudiments of the games and officiate fairly.
He also disclosed that the association was honing the skills of some players in the Greater Accra Volleyball League for selection to the Black Spikers.
"We have introduced professionalism into the Greater Accra League, paying stipends to match officials and appointed commissioners to matches. We are also preparing them for the upcoming African Games," Dr Owusu told the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview in Accra.
Support for schools
He further revealed that his outfit, in partnership with the international sports academy in the United States, the Awana Club, had donated 45 volleyballs to 10 civilian volleyball clubs and eight second cycle schools in the Greater Accra Region.
The schools are: Odorgonno SHS, Ebenezer SHS, St Thomas Aquinas, Accra Girls SHS, Osu Presec SHS, Accra High SHS, and Tema SHS boys and girls.
Beach Volleyball League
Dr Owusu said his outfit would organise the Greater Accra Beach Volleyball League early next year to prepare beach volleyball players and officials for the African Games.
"Just last week we held a very successful three-day beach volleyball tournament, comprising 28 male and female teams, at James Town, in conjunction with Gadangme Unity Organisation to tap new talents into the national team and hone the skills of other players who are playing the sport in Greater Accra," he stated.
Dr Owusu appealed to corporate entities and companies to help sponsor the Greater Accra Indoor League and Beach Volleyball League to ward off the youth from the streets, provide life of sustenance for players and officials in the sport and create revenue for the state.