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46th SWAG Awards: Dr. Bawumia calls for digitization of operations of Sports Industry

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By Mercy Darko

Stakeholders in the Sports Industry have been tasked to embrace digitization as it is the new Oil and Gold for every facet of the economy.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who made the call at the 46th Sports Writers Association of Ghana, SWAG Awards in Accra said the Covid 19 pandemic despite its negative impact has brought to the fore the need to leverage on technology to thrive.

He said Africa and for that matter Ghana can maximize opportunities in the digital space to make the sports industry more vibrant stressing that the time to act is now.

Dr Bawumia pledged the government’s commitment to the sector.

Vice President Bawumia said the negative impact of COVID-19 should be an opportunity for all stakeholders to reflect and review activities in the sports industry in Ghana and make a difference.

He questioned why industry players have not leveraged on media rights, sustainable sponsorship and digitization to make sports thrive.

He stressed that Ghana sports cannot afford to miss out on the numerous opportunities digitization presents after missing out on television revenues.

Vice President Bawumia emphasized that sport is a big business and therefore stakeholders including Sports Writers have an important role to be gatekeepers and continue to promote sports while holding administrators accountable.

”The digitization agenda of the Government offer’s sports entities in Ghana a unique opportunity to transform their brand and maximize their revenue stream through E- membership E- ticketing and E- commerce. All the mighty European clubs make millions of dollars from their fan’s outside the stadium through digitization. Small community and small town clubs in Europe also make appreciable income through their digitized platforms this is possible in Ghana too. The moment for action is now and I want to urge SWAG to spearhead the campaign to get our sports entities to embrace digitization”.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia giving an address

Dr Bawumia reiterating government’s commitment to the sports sector said government has over the years invested in the sector with the construction of over 70 Astro Turfs across the country.

”Apart from huge amount of the Covid-19  bail out  to football  clubs and athletes  during  peak  of the pandemic, government  has  also invested significant  amount  of money in developing  sport infrastructure in the past   five years.  All our major national  stadia in Accra, Tamale,  Kumasi and Esipong which were in complete  disrepair have either  undergone renovation  or works are ongoing there . In addition  to  this Government  during  its first  term  in  office  has stated  the construction of ten multi  purpose  youth sports resource  centre  in ten different  regions  and  works are at different  stages  of  completion”, he noted.

Saddique Adam’s, SWAG Journalist of the year receiving his award from Vice President Bawumia

Saddique Adam’s won the SWAG Journalist of the year. Sekondi Hassacas ladies were adjudged team of the year while Samuel Takyi took home the Sports Personality of year.

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