- CAF bans Baba Yara Stadium.
- Vanderpuye blames gov't mismanagement.
- Lack of expertise cited.
- Stadium fails int'l standards.
The Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has attributed the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) withdrawal of approval for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to the government’s neglect of the Sports Ministry.
CAF withdrew its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field, on Wednesday, September 11.
Vanderpuye expressed his disappointment but not surprise at the development, citing the government’s lack of attention to the Sports Ministry as the root cause.
He emphasized that the government treats the Sports Ministry as a non-priority area, assigning it to individuals without the necessary expertise.
Vanderpuye stated, “When you put square pegs in round holes, these are the sort of results that you get.”
He highlighted the importance of sports in Ghanaian society, noting that it is a unifying force and a key aspect of national identity.
The MP criticized the government’s approach to sports administration, saying it is often treated as an afterthought or a reward for political loyalty.
Vanderpuye emphasized that sports require technical expertise and careful management, which has been lacking in the current administration.
The CAF decision was made after observing the stadium’s conditions during the recent Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola on September 5th, 2024.
The stadium was found to be below the required standards for hosting Category 3 international matches, leading to the withdrawal of approval.
