Speaker inaugurates GH¢10m Astro Turf at McCoy College of Education
THE Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has inaugurated a GH¢10 million ultra-modern Astro-turf at the McCoy College of Education at Nadowli in the Nadowli-Kalio District to harness the sporting potential in the school and its environs in the Upper West Region.
The 75 by 110-square-foot Astroturf field facility, constructed by the Wembley Construction Company Limited with a seating capacity of over 1,000 including changing rooms, VIP seating, wash rooms, offices and flood lighting, was funded by the Speaker of Parliament with support from the Ghana Gas Company.
Speaking at the inauguration here on Monday, Mr Bagbin noted that the facility would serve as a place for the youth who had passion for football to develop their talents in order to enable them to compete at the highest level across the country.
“This is for youth development, this is for equity, this is for the future, this new sports facility would nurture young talents in our various communities, it represents hope, opportunity and future of our youth people,” he said.
Mr Bagbin indicated that the facility would be used for football matches as well as entertainment, ceremonies, funerals and other events.
“This facility will be available for the use of every other person, but under the management of the school authority, so when you come to do your wedding or funeral here, it’s permitted, but you have to
pay, this will help management to maintain the place at all times,” he indicated.
He highlighted the potential of the facility to host regional sports events to foster peace and unity among the youth.
The Speaker of Parliament said the facility would serve as a hub for the entire community and open up opportunities for hosting regional and national events and also putting the College and the community on the map as a centre for excellence in sports and education.
Mr Bagbin urged the youth to make good use of the facility in order to shape and develop their talent.
He called on the management of the McCoy College of Education, stakeholders and the people inNadowli-Kaleo district to work together and ensure the effective maintenance of the facility for generations yet unborn to benefit from the same facility.
The Principal of the McCoy College of Education, Rev. Fr. Peter Paul Yelletuo, expressed gratitude to the Speaker and Ghana Gas Company for the initiative which would serve not only the school but also the communities at large.
He gave assurance that the facility would be put to good use, adding that its maintenance would also be given a priority by the school management.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wembley Construction Company, Mr Robert Tetteh Coleman, said the facility was one of the best anyone could find in any part of West Africa, adding that the grass used in the facility was bought from FIFA’s number one producers of artificial turf.
“This grass was from FIFA’s number one producer when it comes to artificial football turf, this facility should be able to last the good people of Nadowli for 15 years and after which we can now change the grass, when it comes to this facility, one significant thing that most of the constituency do not have is what the Speaker of Parliament has brought to the people of Nadowli,’’ he said.
FROM RAFIA ABDUL RAZAK NADOWLI
