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Emmanuel Osei Sarpong urges investment in local coaching talent

The Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, has called for a strategic shift in Ghana’s sports development, urging the nation to prioritize training local coaches over a heavy reliance on high-profile foreign experts. He argued that the persistent appointment of expensive international coaches will not resolve the systemic challenges facing Ghanaian sports without a foundation of effective long-term planning and robust investment in athlete development. Addressing the recent poor performances of various national teams, including the Black Stars, Prof. Sarpong emphasized that success requires more than just high-level technical leadership. He highlighted the urgent need for better coordination among sports organizations and the implementation of a structured talent development program that begins with early talent identification. According to the NSA boss, the focus must shift toward building local capacity and ensuring that coaches within the domestic system are equipped with the modern skills necessary to compete on the global stage. To enhance Ghana’s sports framework, Prof. Sarpong advocated for the adoption of successful international models, specifically pointing to France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP). He suggested that by emulating such structured systems, Ghana can create a more sustainable environment for producing world-class athletes and technical staff. This approach, he noted, would ensure that the country moves away from reactionary measures and toward a proactive, evidence-based strategy for sporting excellence. In his concluding remarks, the Acting Director-General reiterated that the future of Ghanaian sports depends on a commitment to grassroots development and the patience to see long-term projects through to fruition. By investing in local talent and establishing a clear pathway from discovery to professional level, the nation can build a more resilient and successful sporting identity that does not rely solely on the intervention of foreign expertise.