Sports
Let’s speed up on the African Games
There is always a first time for everything – and there has to be a first time for any human endeavour.
So, two years away from now – specifically in 2023, Ghana will for the first time have the opportunity of hosting the quadrennial games (African Games).
It is worthy to note that the maiden Games were held in 1965 in Brazzaville, Congo.
For a country that had for ages been a strong advocate for African unity and indeed championed the fight for the decolonization of the continent, it is really astonishing to many that Ghana (first country south of the Sahara to gain independence), has not had the opportunity of hosting the prestigious Games.
Heartily, in two years’ time, the continental sporting showcase is “coming home.”
The 13th edition of the African Games is expected to be held in three cities in the country on dates yet to be determined.
For the second time in history of the Games, the showpiece would be decentralised in a process that started in the previous edition held in Morocco.
As such, three Ghanaian cities (Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast) have been chosen for these functions.
Already, a land has been secured at Bortyeman in the Greater Accra Region to construct the necessary facilities for the Games and the procurement process to engage the contractor has been completed.
The facilities to be constructed include a 50,000 capacity Olympic Stadium complex, multi-purpose sports halls for all indoor sports, aquatic centres for swimming and tennis courts.
This is the third year (October 2018), Ghana got the nod to host the Games, but one must admit that preparations appear all-too slow for a multi-sport event that is expecting more than 5,000 athletes from over 50 countries.
As the sports ministry itself has said, the Games will be a unique opportunity to rewrite the scripts of the country’s sports for the next century and things have to be sped up to be able to meet supposedly early deadlines to the benefit of the nation.
For that matter, no efforts should be spared to make the event a grand success as the eyes of the continent is expected to be fixed irrevocably on us – aware that anything associated with Ghana is of sterling quality. We do not have to disappoint the world.
Indeed, the benefits of staging such Games are incalculably great as we are told by Minister of Youth and Sports Isaac Asiamah, that the Olympic stadium is poised to become a National Centre of Excellence for Sports Development. According to the Minister, already, a sustainability plan that will last for generations has been put in place to convert the facility into a University of Sports Development after the Games; so it does not lie idle and waste away.
It sounds pretty sparkling as experience has shown in a number of African countries that such huge facilities virtually go waste after the Games and we need to take a leaf from that to ensure that we put ours into a proper, sustained use.
For now, it is high time we worked our tail off to guarantee a successful organisation and host of the Games.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
