American football to be introduced in all schools – Sports Minister

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif as part of an effort to improve school sporting activities says his outfit is in talks with the central government for American football to be introduced in schools across the country.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Minister in Charge of Sports explained that American football also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.

“We are excited to introduce this new sport to our children in the schools. Remarkably, these young Ghanaians placed 4th behind experienced participants like the USA, Mexico and Australia,” Mr Mustapha Ussif told journalists.

He added that “The partnership with the NFL continues and later this year, the number of participating schools is expected to increase in the 2nd edition of the developmental NFL Flag Football Competition, which will also select the best players for next year’s Pro Bowl.”

The move comes after Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2022 academic year partnered with the National Football League (NFL) to organize a special talent development among 10 selected schools in the country.

Out of this tournament, 10 young Ghanaian students were selected to represent Africa at the 2023 Pro Bowl, a special tournament which precedes the famous Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, the management of the Ghana Education Service after it approved Tug of War and Pillor fight as games to be played by students at the Pre-Tertiary Education level has suspended the two sports for further consultations.

A letter signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General of Ghana Education Service (GES) Kwaku Owusu said the two games are no longer part of the sporting activities of government basic and second cycle schools in the country.

“Reference is made to our letter GES /DD-G (MS)23/125 dated 18th May 2023 on the approval to introduce Tug of War/Pillow Fight as Sports in the Basic and Second Cycle Schools in the country

We wish to inform you that the Management of Ghana Education Service is, by this letter, suspending the introduction of the two games for further engagements. Thus, our approval of your request is withdrawn forthwith

Accordingly, Regional Directors are requested to inform Metro, Municipal, District Directors of Education and Heads of Second Cycle Institutions of this suspension,” the Ghana Education Service said in the letter to Tug of War Federation.