Ghana has initiated moves to review existing sports law and national sports policy to provide a solid policy framework for sports administration in the country, a senior official said here on Thursday.

Joseph Yammin, deputy minister of Youth and Sports, said these measures were to ensure that the country's regulatory framework for the sports sector conforms to modern trends and meet international standards and best practices.

He was speaking at the official launch of the 38th annual awards and dinner night of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) to be held at the Banquet Hall of the State House on June 29.

Yammin said after the passage of the law and the formulation of the policy, the ministry will also initiate the process of passing a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to back the law and also draw a comprehensive action plan to guide the implementation of the policy.

"The implementation plan of the policy shall also provide easy and accessible reference point on the programs and activities of the sector to all the stakeholders for effective partnership in their implementation," he said.

The draft national sports policy has been on the cards since 2008 but despite several promises by successive Ministers of Youth and Sports, it has failed to see the light of day.

The purpose of the National Sports Bill is to provide for the establishment of a National Sports Authority, to create a Sports Trust Fund, provide for the establishment of a Sports College and Sports Academies and Centers of Excellence among other things.

The old law contributed to the suspension of Ghana from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2011 until parliament amended relevant Section to the existing decree which has been in force over the past two decades to free the administration of sports from the perceived political interference.

The minister therefore called on the SWAG, being a repository of information on sports, to play a leading role in providing ideas for the formulation of the sports policy and its implementation plan and for the passage of the sports law and its L.I.

He noted that his ministry would continue to provide the support necessary to various national teams to participate in various competitions both at the local and international levels.

The Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Cynthia Lumor said announced her outfit's renewal of its partnership with sports writers in Ghana for three years beginning this year.

"We hope that with our renewed commitment we will continue to work together to give our hardworking sportsmen and women the needed recognition to spur them on to higher heights," she said.

This year's SWAG Awards, which is sponsored by communication giants MTN, is expected to confer honors on 30 sports men and women drawn from 15 sporting disciplines and five institutions for their contribution to the development of sports in the country.

Winners will receive trophies, medals, certificates, products from corporate sponsors among other attractive prizes on the night as prizes for their efforts.

It is expected to attract a number of international sports personalities and other high profile individuals in the country. Endi

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