Preparations are in full swing as Ghana readies itself to host the 13th African Games, scheduled to take place in the capital city of Accra from March 8th to March 24th, 2024.
With over 50 AU Member States confirming their participation, the event is set to draw thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators from across the continent.
Read Also: Coach Rena Wakama Reveals D’Tigress Squad For FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024
Hon. Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth & Sports, expressed Ghana’s commitment to ensuring the success of the games during the opening session of the 4th Technical Committee for the African Games meeting.
He acknowledged the invaluable guidance and support received from the African Union (AU) and highlighted the technical assistance provided by the AU Sports Council (AUSC), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and the Association of Africa Sports Confederations (AASC).
Ghana has invested significantly in state-of-the-art sporting facilities across twenty-three disciplines, including the newly constructed Olympic Stadium and the refurbished aquatic center.
The country’s infrastructure network has also been enhanced to ensure seamless transportation, diverse accommodation options, and advanced communication technologies.
Over 4,000 athletes are expected to participate in 23 sports codes,namely Arm-Wrestling, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball (3×3), Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo,
Rugby, Aquatics, Table Tennis, Karate-Do Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling.
Seven of the sports Badminton, Cycling, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, and Wrestling would be doubling as qualifiers for the Paris Olympics 2024, intensifying the competition.
The Games will also feature demonstration sports like E-sports, Mixed Martial Arts, Speedball, Sambo, and Teqball, providing a glimpse into the future of sports entertainment.
Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, the Executive Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, emphasized Ghana’s proactive approach to anti-doping, implementing robust measures and diligently working towards ultramodern facilities to deter and detect potential violations.
H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma, the African Union’s Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, commended Ghana’s impressive work during a tour of critical sporting venues.
She expressed confidence that Ghana, as the host nation, is poised to set a new standard for the African Games, showcasing not only sporting excellence but also fostering unity and collaboration across the entire African continent.
The urgency of final preparations was underscored, with Commissioner Cessouma emphasizing that “the time for action is now.”
