You cannot even play colts football on Baba Yara pitch – NSA Boss.

The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has raised significant concerns regarding the Baba Yara Stadium pitch’s deteriorating condition in Kumasi, deeming it unfit to host football matches at present.

Following an inspection on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Mr. Ampofo Ankrah admitted to the media that the pitch’s current condition is unsuitable for even colts football, citing unfavorable weather conditions in recent weeks as a contributing factor.

Mr. Ampofo Ankrah disclosed that Asante Kotoko has formally requested to utilize Baba Yara Stadium as their home venue for the upcoming season, emphasizing that the stadium must meet required standards before hosting any games.

“Kotoko officially reached out to us just over a week ago. They wish to utilize this venue, but as we can all observe, we must ensure that everything is in perfect condition before that can be done,” he stated.

To address the issue, the NSA has engaged turf management experts, including Doc from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Frank Boahin, to assess the pitch and provide a realistic timeline for its restoration.

Mr. Ampofo Ankrah cautioned against speculation, stating that resuscitating the pitch in the next few weeks is possible but not guaranteed. To that end, experts with years of experience have been brought in to provide reliable information and avoid speculation.

Mr. Ampofo Ankrah emphasized the importance of urgency and collaboration among stakeholders, encouraging all parties to come together and work hard to meet or beat the experts’ suggested timeline.

“We need to synchronize our efforts, work together, and make sure it happens. The experts have given us a timeline, and we must work diligently to meet or exceed it,” he stated.

If the pitch restoration is not completed on schedule, Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars may be compelled to secure alternative venues for their forthcoming African campaign matches, highlighting the critical importance of restoring the Baba Yara Stadium to full functionality prior to the new season.