The National Sports Council (NSC) has stressed that since its ultimate goal is to make Ghana one of the best sporting nations in the world, it will ensure that sports is properly controlled and supervised in the best interest of all. “As much as the Council would solicit for support for any sports discipline, it will equally ensure that the laid down rules and regulations are strictly adhered to,” the NSC said. These were contained in a statement issued by the NSC and signed by its Head of Public Relations, Mr. Hamah Hamid Issakah, in Accra yesterday, in apparent reaction to the impression created by Mr Kofi Boakye-Yiadom, the Chief Executive Officer of Dome Cycling Club in a recent newspaper publication. The statement disclosed that the call by the Chief Executive of NSC, Mr Prince Ernest Oduro-Mensah, at a media forum organised by Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), was an appeal for equal media attention on the “lesser known sports”. “We are all aware that much is not heard or read about the ‘lesser known sports’, hence their inability to attract the necessary attention of sponsors to help finance their programme of activities which has rendered them dormant. “Much as the Council appreciates the contribution of Mr. Kofi Boakye-Yiadom, CEO of the Dome Cycling Squad, within the short spate of its establishment, the Council equally views the stance of Boakye as a catalyst which could foment disunity among the Greater Accra Cycling Association which was already engulfed in a protracted in-fighting over a long period,” it said. According to the NSC, as part of its sports policy, it encouraged all clubs to affiliate with their respective regional and national associations. “This decision is to facilitate the organisation and supervision of all activities of the clubs to conform to accepted standards in our sports developmental and promotional agenda. “All sports associations and clubs including football, basketball, volleyball, handball and keep fit clubs are affiliated to their respective regional sports associations.” The council stressed it was in the interest of Mr. Kofi Boakye-Yidadom to operate under the Greater Accra Cycling Association which had existed for several years now. The NSC said it had on no occasion tried to stifle the quest of Mr. Kofi Boakye-Yiadom to push the sport to its highest pedestal. “The Council wishes to assure the general public and particularly the CEO of the Dome Cycling Squad that directives have already been issued to all Associations to account for all funds released to them for their various programmes over the past years. “They have also been directed to submit their programmes of action for the 2007 and quarterly reports on activities for the whole year.” The Council disclosed that many more associations, including Kick-boxing, Beach Sports, Golf and the Ghana Polytechnic Sports Associations, had almost completed the necessary formalities to join the sports family- a clear signal that the Council was in total control of sports promotion and development. Daily Guide