The Accra Turf Club has formally presented a petition to Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams, alleging a forceful takeover and demolition of the Borteyman Race Course in Accra. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, August 22nd, 2023, saw approximately 200 armed men allegedly enter the facility and seize control of the premises, sparking serious concerns about the safety and future of the historic horse racing venue. Speaking to the Minister, Chairman Frederick Nuer, the club’s established 1923 founding member stated that the development had sparked considerable anxiety regarding the preservation of this significant part of Ghana’s sporting heritage. The Turf Club’s long history in the capital city, tracing back to 1876, while formally established in 1923, is intrinsically linked to the sport’s evolution in Ghana. The current racecourse at Borteyman was developed following a 2006 agreement with the government, predicated on a 2005 court ruling recognizing the club’s exclusive right to occupy 46.64 hectares of land within the Borteyman enclave. The government’s support for this relocation, solidified by a 2006 agreement, underscores the importance of the Turf Club to Ghana’s sporting landscape. Mr. Nuer explained that the relocation was a strategic move to accommodate the club’s existing location, which was previously situated in the central Accra area, where the National Security Secretariat and the Kempinski Hotel currently reside. The current racecourse’s establishment represents a significant shift from the club’s original site. Responding to the petition, Minister Kofi Adams acknowledged the club’s vital contribution to preserving horse racing and Ghana’s sporting heritage. He described the reported demolition and takeover as unfortunate and assured the club that he would engage state institutions to investigate the matter thoroughly. Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the livelihoods linked to the racecourse and ensure a sustainable resolution to the dispute. The government has acquired substantial land in the Borteyman area, and plans are underway to develop it into a comprehensive sports village, reflecting a commitment to expanding recreational infrastructure across the country. The Minister also highlighted the significance of protecting sports facilities and green spaces as integral components of Ghana’s broader climate change response. The government has disclosed that the acquisition of significant land in the Borteyman area is part of a larger initiative to expand sports and recreational infrastructure nationwide. Official sources indicate that the government intends to utilize this land for the construction of a sports village, aiming to bolster the country’s sporting landscape and provide enhanced opportunities for recreational activities for the public.” } ,
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Source: Adom Sports
