No Church Service Held at Borteyman Sports Complex – Sports Authority
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied giving out the Borteyman Sports Complex for a church service following a viral video of the new facility hosting an audience behind a church banner.
A statement issued by Majeed Bawa, the Venue manager under the letterhead of the NSA clarified that the congregation was made up of the Students Representative Councils of the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, Valley View University, and other institutions.
These institutions, he said requested a special visitation to the Borteyman Sports Complex for a tour and lecture on leadership by a Deputy Minister.
The banner of a church seen in the video which created the controversy is said to have sponsored the trip to the venue.
“On the day of the visit, the facility had just hosted a two-day Badminton competition, and the equipment was still in place. The students entered the hall and sat down for the lecture from the Deputy Minister, who had not yet arrived.
“As the Venue Manager, I was present at the facility and noticed a Church banner in the hall. The explanation provided was that the Church facilitated the trip, hence the presence of the banners. It is important to note that there were many Muslim students in attendance, some of whom were wearing hijab.”
He, therefore, stated that commentaries suggesting the facility has been handed over for a Church programme are false.
He, however, added, “We apologise for any confusion and distress these misreports may have caused and assure the public that the Borteyman Sports Complex remains a facility dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community.”
The multipurpose facility was constructed purposely for the All African games that were hosted in the country earlier this year. It was commissioned in February by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
