Students whose conduct results in the destruction of property at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi should be made to bear the full cost of the damages, says Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

He is convinced students will not abuse the facility when they are held liable for destruction.

“The students who go there and destroy anything at the stadium, let’s allow the headmasters to charge them for their parents to pay and they we will learn a lot of lessons,” said the Asantehene.

He was addressing the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif who paid a courtesy call at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

”Considering the cost of this renovation, you have to pay attention to it. Some people go there and even destroy the seats. Young men and women during sports competitions destroy properties when frustrated. In all this, they must be cautioned, that’s not the right way, even when you are angry and you lose, you can win tomorrow so they don’t have to destroy properties there like that,” Otumfuo stated.

The Minister was in the company of his Deputy, Evans Opoku Bobie, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi.

Mr. Mustapha Ussif inspected the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, which was closed down in February, 2020 for renovation works.

Mr. Ussif disclosed that the stadium is ready for use ahead of the new football season.

The Asantehene advised the Sports Minister and his team to pay attention to the maintenance culture to ensure the facility remains in good shape.

Phase one of the refurbishment focused on grassing the pitch by Green Grass Technology, laying of tartan tracks, fixing of 21,978 seats, fixing of underground pitch drainage systems, installation of scoreboard and floodlights. This is about 97% complete.

Principal Estate Officer of the NSA in Ashanti Region, Kofi Addai, said the second phase of the work will soon commence, focusing on offices, construction of aquatic sports facility, construction of backyard courts and wiring.