London, UK - 07 June, 2025 - Ghana's Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, is embarking on a high-level working visit to the United Kingdom, aimed at developing long-term solutions for the sustainable operation and commercial viability of the country's sports infrastructure.
The Minister's mission is focused on transforming Ghana's sports facilities, particularly the Borteyman Sports Complex, into multi-purpose hubs that can generate revenue, create jobs, and contribute to the national economy.
During his visit, Minister Adams has been engaging in technical meetings and facility tours in London, where he has been studying operational models, management systems, and maintenance solutions that can be adapted to the Ghanaian context. A key highlight of his visit was a working tour of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a benchmark for how Olympic legacy infrastructure can be converted into a national asset and economic driver.
The Minister was particularly impressed by the London Aquatics Centre, a facility built for the 2012 Olympic Games, which has since evolved into a community-oriented, commercially run venue hosting over 1.2 million visitors annually. He interacted with venue managers to understand revenue models derived from fitness memberships, swim lessons, and corporate events, among others. He also observed how the facility integrates elite sports pathways with grassroots participation, including a structured swim scheme for children and support for university clubs.
Another facility that caught the Minister's attention was the Copper Box Arena, a dynamic, 7,500-seat indoor facility supporting various sports and events. Discussions centered on multi-purpose use, venue branding, fan engagement strategies, and revenue streams from event rentals, sponsorship, and digital marketing.
The Minister's engagements were not limited to facility tours. He also held meetings with venue operators to explore facility booking platforms, sponsorship architecture, and digital ROI tracking, among others. A key topic of concern was long-term facility maintenance, an issue that has challenged many public sports venues in Ghana. The Minister discussed computerized maintenance management systems, preventive maintenance schedules, and green retrofits to reduce utility costs and environmental impact.
As part of his visit, Minister Adams is also in discussions with GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), the operators of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and IVM (International Venue Management), a firm with expertise in the Middle East and North America. These companies are offering advisory and potential interim operational solutions for Ghana's facilities.
The Minister's facility-focused engagements are driven by a vision to reposition Ghana's sports infrastructure as strategic assets capable of creating jobs, developing talent, and contributing to the national economy.
By studying proven models of commercial sustainability, he aims to eliminate the cyclical underutilization and high maintenance backlog that has affected many public sports venues across Africa.
As meetings continue in London with public and private sector stakeholders, the Ministry is building a comprehensive roadmap for the future of sports infrastructure in Ghana, one that is not only fit-for-purpose but fit for progress.
This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the development of sports in Ghana, and could serve as a model for other African countries.
Source: Lead News Online
