The Municipal Chief Executive of Jirapa, Nicholas Soyiri has cut sod for the construction of a multi-purpose sports complex in Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
The facility will serve as a recreational centre for the people of Jirapa and surrounding communities as it will engender the development of sports and entertainment in the municipality.
In a brief ceremony on Wednesday, 28th August 2024, the MCE together with the contractor and other dignitaries, performed the sod cutting for the immediate commencement of work.
Though the Upper West Region is noted for producing prominent sportsmen and women, it has been grappling with an infrastructure deficit and the situation has affected the performance and participation in sports.
Due to the lack of infrastructure, many talents are left to rot, especially in lesser-known sports. Football talents equally struggle with bumpy pitches to nurture their talent.
The bad nature of these pitches across the region exposes the players to injuries while the quality of the game keeps dwindling which affects their development.
However, the infrastructure deficit is set to be addressed as several efforts are put in place to construct modern pitches and sports centers across the region.
Recently, two ultra-modern astroturfs have been built in Tumu and Nadowli.
Two more structures are set to be constructed in Wa township and the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) to serve as containment centers.
The NPP government is also constructing a multi-purpose youth resource center in Wa all geared to aggressively tackle the infrastructure deficit that has bedevilled the region over the years.
The facilities come with spectator stands, 8 running tracks, changing rooms, public washrooms, an astroturf, a fence, flood lights, commentary, basketball, handball, and volleyball courts.
Unlike most of these pitches under construction, the Jirapa sports complex will come with natural grass.
The contractor, Built Crew Limited, Mashood Nuhu disclosed that the facility will be completed within 6 months and assured that he will get the work completed in less than 6 months without compromising quality.