Sports Minister Kofi Adams says the decision to restructure government Ministries and leave sports under a dedicated Ministry of Sports and Recreation is already paying off.

Speaking at the Jubilee House after President John Dramani Mahama presented financial support to Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars ahead of their CAF inter-club campaigns, Adams praised the foresight behind the change.

“Many didn’t understand that at the time you had promised to reduce an Obolo-sized government, you would go ahead to separate sports and recreation from youth development,” he said.

“But you knew sports is big, recreation is critical, and the youth equally needed the right attention. That vision, backed by dedication and investment, is now yielding results.”

He added that the shift has created room for better investment in football and other disciplines, while ensuring youth policy receives its own dedicated ministry.

Meanwhile, Mahama handed a $100,000 financial package to Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars to boost their participation in this season’s CAF inter-club competitions with each club receiving $50,000.

GoldStars started their campaign with a 2-0 loss to JS Kabylie in the first leg of the Preliminary round in the CAF Champions League.

Kotoko will face Nigeria’s Kwara United on Sunday in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup.