ACCRA, July 15 -- Chinese Ambassador Sun Baohong and Ghana's Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga, Tuesday agreed to strengthen cooperation in youth and sports development.

In a phone conversation with the minister, Sun said the Chinese government was ready to deepen that relationship, and said she was happy with the progress of the construction of the sports stadium in Cape Coast, which was donated by the Chinese government.

The ambassador said the Chinese embassy was preparing to donate footballs to deprived communities in Ghana.

She also assured the Ghanaian minister of China's commitment to youth development in Ghana, adding that she would organize a reception for those Ghanaian students who will study in China on scholarship this year.

Ayariga commended the ambassador and the Chinese government for their continuous support to the development of youth and sports in Ghana.

He stressed the two countries need to build an effective relationship that would serve the interest of the youth in both countries.

Ayariga also appealed to the Chinese government to help construct more small capacity stadiums to promote and develop sports.