The National Sports Lottery and Mobile Platform, which seeks to raise revenue to fund the promotion and development of sports in the country has been launched at the Brennan Hall in Accra today.
The lottery is a collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the National Lottery Authority.
In his address, The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mahama Ayariga stated that sports was now a major industry bringing in millions of dollars in revenue worldwide.
He said that Ghana abounds in sporting talents that needed the necessary infrastructure; basic support and training to enable the country attract a significant share of the global sports revenue.
Hon. Ayariga indicated that there was the inherent need to raise funds to invest in basic sports infrastructure such as playgrounds, promote the local league; promote sports in the basic schools, as well as invest in sports medicine, the sports media and sports marketing companies.
He appealed to the media to assist in promoting the venture since it was going to be a significant source of revenue for sports development in Ghana and assured of the Ministry’s co-operation in making the project a resounding success.
The acting Director-General of the NLA, Brigadier General Martin Ahiaglo stated that the collaboration between them and MOYS involved the introduction of a Football lotto Game, dubbed ‘Sports Lottery’.
He said the NLA had developed this new channel to sell sports lottery because football was arguably Ghana’s favourite sport adding that sports-based gaming products were becoming extremely popular today.
Brigadier General Ahiaglo said his outfit had gained an overwhelming experience in the lottery business and had a large retailer base thus enabling the introduction of sports related products at the Lotto Marketing Companies and retail points much easier.
He indicated that the focus of the NLA was to operate a sports product themed around the character of lottery rather than betting since the intention was to keep the predictability and odds high and still maintain a high level of interest.
The sports lottery is a pool of 12 – 16 football matches created in advance involving Local, Regional and International matches.
The Game involves selection of the ‘Home Team’ or ‘Away Team’ winning or the match ending in a Draw.
As the matches progress, results are declared and the excitement builds up as predictions for the lucky patrons come true.
Source: ISD (Larry George Botchway)