Ghana to participate in 16 sporting disciplines at 11th All African Games

Ghana will compete for honours in 16 sporting disciplines at the upcoming 11th All African Games in Congo, Brazzaville from September 4 to 19, 2015.
According to Chef de Mission, Saka Acquaye, Deputy (Technical) Director at the National Sports Authority, Team Ghana must bring home as many medals that they can because they have comparative advantage in sports and with more commitment and determination Ghana’s representatives would not be disgraced like at the last Games in Maputo.
Speaking at the media launch of Ghana’s participation at the Games, he disclosed that Ghana has paid the participation fee and will take part in 16 out of the 17 events, namely Football, Boxing, Athletics, Badminton, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Judo, Karate do, Taekwondo, Swimming, Indoor Volleyball, Weight lifting, Fencing, Tennis, Table Tennis and Disabled Sports.
Saka Acquaye who is a former swimmer and handball star said 41 countries have confirmed their participation and Ghana has to improve upon their last performance of 19 medals, made up of 4 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze medals.
Joe Kpenge, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) who is Chairman of the International Games Committee noted that the All African Games is very important and Ghana will not be left out as efforts have been made to present teams from Ghana.
He said Ghana takes the All African Games very serious and many lessons have been learnt from the Maputo Report, and this time they hope to be more accountable in resource administration to encourage the sportsmen and women to win more laurels and raise the image of Ghana.
Youth and Sports Minister, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed revealed that Congo have invited the Black Stars to open their ultramodern new stadium and preparations for the Games have reached an advanced stage as government is ready to support the sports men and women.
He disclosed that Ghana is planning to bid for the All African Games in 2019.
Osu Manste Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI who chaired the launch advised that sports is everything and it brings people together, hence sports unites nations.
He urged the participants not to think about money, but go for the gold medals and they would be heroes forever like Ohene Karikari, once Africa’s fastest man and Professor Azumah Nelson, the greatest boxer of African origin, who became a world champion, and inducted in the Hall of Fame.
The programme was graced by the Die Hard Supporters Group who are known to cheer all sporting disciplines.
Abraham Nkansah, leader of the Die Hard Supporters told yours truly they are planning to travel with the Ghana contingent to cheer them at the Games.
“We heard the stadium takes 60,000 spectators and we must be there to make our athletes feel at home as they go for the gold, silver and bronze medal. As you know Ghana is a big sports nation, and we are very sure our sportsmen and women can perform their best to win” he said.