Source:tolonradion.com
The Youth and Sports Minister, Hon Mustapha Ussif has commissioned an ultra-modern astroturf pitch for the Tolon Constituency of the Northern Region.
The untra-modern astroturf comes with spectator stands, dressing rooms, wash rooms and VIP view section.
The Tolon astroturf was constructed under the GNPC Sports Development porgramme to support sports development in the grassroot level.
At a short ceremony in Tolon, Sunday Hon Mustapha hinted that, commissioning of the Tolon astroturf makes 162 astroturfs across the country, adding that, the country had only 3 astroturfs before the NPP Akufo Addo led government assumed office.
He reiterated that, the government since its inception has constructed and commissioned 159 astroturfs and renovated many stadiums to international standard including the Accra and Kumasi sports stadiums, adding that, the essipong stadium is currently under renovation.
The Youth and Sports Minister said, the government has also constructed one of the best sports complex in West Africa, located at Borteyman, a suburb of Accra.
He said, the Borteyman Sports Complex can accommodate seven competitive sports, including table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon.
He added that it features a 1,000-seater capacity swimming pool, comprising a 10-lane competition swimming pool and an eight-lane warm-up swimming pool, alongside a multi-purpose Sports Hall capable of seating 1,000 spectators for various events such as basketball, badminton, netball, table tennis, and weightlifting.
Hon Mustapha urged the people of Tolon to maintain the astroturf well to stand the test of time, emphasizing that, so much investment has gone into it by GNPC.
Dr Dominic Eduah, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation said, the Tolon astroturf is one of best in the country, saying that, none of the astroturfs constructed by GNPC comes with facilities like the Tolon astroturf.
He indicated that, the MP for Tolon insisted that, the astroturf comes with various facilities such as dressing room, wash rooms, VIP section and spectator stands.
Dr Dominic described the Tolon MP as a go-getter who has his people at heart and we will do a lot to ensure that he gets the needed development for his people. “The man who is a go-getter when he wants something from you, you will never sleep”.
He said, the GNPC has become a developmental partner for the Tolon Constituency, saying that, GNPC constructed boreholes and classroom blocks for the area.
He hinted that, under the GNPC foreign scholarship programme, two persons from Tolon have been given scholarships to study abroad.
Dr. Dominic urged the people of Tolon Constituency to vote massively for Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia and retain Hon Habib Iddrissu with over 70% valued vote cast.
The Tolon MP, Hon Alhaji Habib Iddrissu said, the newly constructed astroturf will improve sports development in the area, adding that, the facility can host various activities including wedding, pass-outs, funerals and other festivities.
The Paramount Chief of Tolon Traditional Area, Nyeb Tolon Naa Major (rtd) Alhaji Sulemana Abubakari thanked GNPC and the Tolon MP for the astroturf project.
Many dignitaries were invited including MP for Yendi Hon Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, Mion MP Aziz Ayaba, Deputy Chief of Staff and Ambassador-at-Large Hon Aliu Fawaz, Deputy Agric Minister and MP for Nanton Hon Hardi Tuferu, Former Northern Regional Minister Hon Salifu Saeed and host of government delegation.
The ceremony brought together revered Chiefs, opinion leaders and a cross-section of the entire Tolon Constituency.
