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Ayiku Ocansey, the Communications Director of Dreamland Sports Plus, has provided insight into the organization’s proposal to introduce Tug of War and Pillow Fight as sports disciplines in Ghana’s primary and senior high schools under the Ghana Education Service (GES).
During a press conference held in Accra on June 9, 2023, Mr. Ocansey apologized to Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, clarifying that the Minister was not involved. He emphasized that Dreamland Sports Plus had directly communicated with the Director-General of GES to request the introduction of these sports disciplines in schools. In response to their letter, Dreamland Sports Plus received a reply from Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu (Ag. Deputy Director-General), the Director-General of GES, approving including Tug of War and Pillow Fight. The organization was instructed to collaborate with the Physical Education (P.E.) and sports unit at GES headquarters to plan and organize programs and activities to implement these sports. The aim is to discover and nurture young talents without disrupting the teaching and learning process.
However, Mr. Ocansey expressed surprise and disappointment regarding specific media reports that criticized the approval granted to Dreamland Sports Plus. He refuted several inaccurate allegations made in those reports.
Firstly, there was a claim that Ghana lacks a Tug of War Association. Mr. Ocansey clarified that a national Tug of War Association received a provisional certificate from the National Sports Authority in February 2023.
Secondly, the program suggested that Pillow Fight is dangerous due to the possibility of placing a stone in the pillow. Mr. Ocansey explained Dreamland Sports Plus provides specially-designed pads for these soft fights, certified by the International Pillow Fight Championship. These pillows pose no risk of injury.
Another false claim in the program was that participating in these sports would disrupt classroom learning. Mr. Ocansey reassured me that the GES has a structured timetable, and during physical education (P.E.) periods, all students participate together as a class.
Regarding the permission granted by the GES, the reports alleged it only applied to pre-tertiary institutions and not universities. Mr. Ocansey invited the media to verify this claim, as his organization had organized many events at tertiary institutions.
Lastly, Mr. Ocansey emphasized the importance of sports in mental development, stating that participating in sports helps improve memory and intellectual capacity.
Mr. Ocansey took the opportunity to explain the concept of Pillow Fight, describing it as a common game played by children and adults, engaging in mock physical combat using pillows as weapons.
In collaboration with Pillow Fight Ghana, he mentioned that Dreamland Sports Plus had organized numerous pillow fight competitions in communities, basic and senior high schools, and even during university events and celebrations.
He emphasized the benefits of Pillow Fight, such as promoting personal hygiene, contributing to physical development, and providing mental and physical exercise, as stated by Mr. Steve Williams, the founder, and CEO of the Pillow Fight Championship based in Florida, USA.
In conclusion, Mr. Ocansey urged the public to disregard the baseless allegations. He expressed the organization’s commitment to collaborating with people to promote and develop physical education and sports in Ghana.
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Source: Omanghana.com
