In recognition of his stellar contribution to sports in Ghana and internationally, the Director of Sports at the University of Ghana Legon Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu was recently awarded the Liquid Sports Ghana Leadership and Excellence Award at the third edition of the awards held at the plush Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City on 9th June, 2018.

The Liquid Sports Ghana Leadership and Excellence Award’ is presented to individuals and organisations for their contributions to the growth and development of sport through effective leadership practices.

The citation for the award mentions the leadership role Dr. Bitugu played in ensuring the successful implementation of the University of Ghana’s Policy on the Admission of Athlete Students (UG-PAAS), and the creation of the University of Ghana Sports Fund.

According to the award organisers, the award winners were selected using a strict selection criteria. Among other things, the criteria includes “a mastery of all the management functions, be well known in the sport arena, and have an abiding belief in the need for ethical behavior in sport.”

Dr Bella Bello Bitugu is an academic, consultant and expert for the UN, UEFA, FIFA, European Union, The Austrian Government, The Government of Ghana, many African and European countries.

He obtained his first degree in University of Cape Coast and went on to Austria and studied for his Masters and Phd at the University of Innsbruck where he later lectured for 15 years.

An expert in development through sport which uses the strength and power of sport to address development and other societal issues, he was until April 2012 the European coordinator of Sport for Development projects with FairPlay at the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation.

More recently, Dr. Bitugu has been selected by UNESCO to be part of the experts to prepare a strategy for adoption by African sports ministers on implementing quality physical education and sports.

He is a member of the group of experts appointed by the Commonwealth in London to steer a strategy for all Commonwealth Nations on how to use sports to achieve the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.

Since October 2013 to date, Dr. Bitugu is the Director of the Sports Directorate of the premier University of Ghana, Legon.

Meanwhile, it will be recalled that Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, Director of Sports at the University of Ghana Legon and the Indian Women’s Association of Ghana were awarded with the “Leadership and Excellence Award” for their contribution to sports development in Ghana respectively at the third edition of the awards held on 9th June, 2018.

Three experienced Ghanaian para sports athletes Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, Alem Mumuni and Patrick Yaw Obeng were honoured for their commitment to the growth and development of para sports in Ghana.

The trio were presented with plaques designed and manufactured in the USA purposely for the award ceremony while the Indian Women’s Association presented GH 500 each to the trio as a gift.

On the night, 800m runner Alex Amankwah and sprinter Janet Amponsah were crowned the Liquid Sports Ghana Male and Female Athlete of the Year 2017 respectively.

Sensational sprinter Hor Halutie and Emmanuel Yeboah grabbed the maiden Rising Stars award meant for locally based male and female athletes respectively.

The awards-the first of its kind in Ghana which focuses on athletics and para sports- are aimed at throwing the spot light on athletes, individuals and organisations who excel in representing the country both locally and internationally.

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