A group calling itself the Volta Sports Crusaders has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Sports Ministry through the Volta Regional Minister, for the immediate operationalisation of the Volta Youth Resource Centre. The group said an immediate use of the Centre would promote sports tourism which would tie into the current drive to bring investors into the region in line with the 'Visit Volta drive'. The group in their quest to drive home their demand organised a demonstration through the principal street of Ho, holding placards with inscriptions including Complete the Volta Youth Resource Centre, 'Eva glo mi' to wit (We are tired), renovate Ho Sports Stadium, no resource centre no vote. Mr Forster Korsi Osei, the Convener of the group who presented the petition to Mr Augustus Awity, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council said they were heeding the call of the President to be active citizens, not spectators. He said the Centre which was mooted as a lauda ble initiative to aid youth and sports development in the Volta Region and was used for the 66th National Independence Day celebration had become and mirage and completely deteriorated. Mr Osei said their checks indicated that the air conditioners fixed had been stolen and the ceiling at the VIP section had also been ripped off with some of the seats getting destroyed. 'The poles removed for the 66th Independence Day celebration were never replaced, and they are rusty. The tracks have also not been fully developed. The field is overgrown with weeds and breeding reptiles. Is this not causing financial loss to the state'? 'We are therefore calling on you as the representative of the President to show your commitment towards Youth and Sports development by ensuring that the Volta Youth Resource Centre is put to use on or before 30th November 2024.' Mr Augustus Awity, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, receiving the petition on behalf of the Minister assured the group that t heir concerns would addressed and that some actions were already being taken. Source: Ghana News Agency