Kofi Adams meets Belarus sports minister to explore MoU on coach training, scholarships and sports science

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, has held discussions with the Minister of Sports of Belarus, Sergey Kovalchuk, on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding covering coach education, scholarships, sports science, and school and grassroots sports development.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 14th International Sports Forum “Russia: Country of Sports” in Krasnoyarsk, where the two ministers explored opportunities to strengthen the systems supporting athlete development.

Mr Adams identified coaching and technical education as priorities for Ghana, expressing interest in learning from Belarus’s experience and applying relevant lessons to the country’s ongoing sports reforms.

“Coaching and training is really key,” he said, welcoming opportunities to develop the expertise of Ghanaian coaches and strengthen the support available to young athletes.

The Belarusian Minister expressed readiness to explore scholarship opportunities and technical training for Ghanaian coaches through the country’s state universities and specialised sporting institutions. He highlighted wrestling, rowing and weightlifting among the disciplines offering opportunities for cooperation.

Mr Adams also called for the proposed partnership to create educational opportunities for young Ghanaians, particularly in areas that could support the development of school and grassroots sports.

“We have so many areas we have to collaborate in,” he said.

Sports science and medicine formed another significant part of the engagement. Mr Kovalchuk outlined Belarus’s investment in a dedicated sports science and medical centre, alongside its network of specialised sports schools and Olympic training institutions.

Mr Adams commended the investment in scientific support for athletes and expressed interest in training opportunities that would help Ghana develop expertise in these fields.

For Ghana, the discussions connected international cooperation with the practical needs of the domestic sports system: qualified coaches, stronger school sports structures and access to specialist knowledge that supports athletes throughout their development.

Mr Kovalchuk acknowledged Ghana’s achievements in football, boxing and Olympic competition, noting that both countries had strengths and experience from which they could benefit.

The two ministers also acknowledged President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to Belarus earlier this year. Mr Adams noted the emphasis on agriculture during that visit and welcomed the opportunity to extend cooperation into sports development.

The Belarusian Minister invited Mr Adams to visit Belarus, suggesting that the proposed memorandum could be signed during the visit once its terms had been agreed.

Mr Adams expressed interest in studying the Belarusian system firsthand and requested a draft memorandum for consideration.

The proposed agreement would provide a framework for translating the discussions into training, educational exchanges and institutional cooperation, supporting Ghana’s efforts to give young talent a stronger foundation for development.