African Sports Centre (ASC) – the continental leader in sports data, research and technology – has paid working visits to some major sports stakeholders in Ghana.

This is part of an ongoing process to engage top decision-makers of high-ranking sports organisations about the coming and plans of the ASC.

Led by Founder and CEO, Prince Narkortu Teye, ASC has so far called on the Ghana Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Olympic Committee, the Ghana National Sports Authority and Ghana’s oldest and arguably biggest football club Accra Hearts of Oak.

Similar visits are currently being planned for other outfits including, the Ghana Football Association, Asante Kotoko, the Ghana Tennis Federation, Liberty Professionals as well as relevant government agencies and business/corporate units.

“This is a very significant step in the history of ASC. You may have all the best plans and intentions about sports development but without the help of these major bodies, all your efforts will come to naught,” Teye said of their ongoing tour.

“At ASC, we are fully aware of the importance of collaborations in the achievement of goals. For us, we don’t see these bodies as just ‘industry players’ but as ‘partners’.

“Engaging these stakeholders will not only give us more first-hand information about the major challenges in the industry but will also importantly help us all forge and present a united front in tackling the major issues confronting the industry.

“We are fully committed to leading the crusade for sports development in Ghana and Africa on our three major science pillars of data, research and technology.”

ASC’s first port of call was the Ministry of Youth and Sports where the delegation met the sector minister Hon. Isaac Asiamah, who expressed excitement about the ASC and highlighted the importance of data, research and technology in sports development.

The Ghana National Sports Authority was next on the agenda. There, the outfit’s director-general Prof. Peter Twumasi described the coming of ASC as “timely” and pledged their support to ASC in improving the development of sports in the country.

At the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) where ASC was hosted by GOC president Ben Nunoo Mensah, the renowned administrator – who also doubles as the president of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation – lauded the ASC initiative and said the GOC will be happy to partner with the ASC on major interventions for the industry. Some major national and continental events are currently being planned by the ASC.

In our discussion with Hearts of Oak CEO, Frederick Moore, the ASC stated plans to soon start collecting data on the Ghana Premier League and as well mentioned its ongoing market research on the league. In this survey seeking to find fans insight into the local topflight in the areas of interest and awareness, patronage and consumption, and commerce, data is being collected in every single district in all administrative regions of Ghana. The report will be published to the public and copies will be delivered to all relevant sports stakeholders in the country.