The 13th African Games finally kick off in Accra Ghana on Friday, March 8, after an eight-month delay.
ANOCA had threatened to pull out, citing an infringement on its marketing rights by the African Union.
This year’s competition is scheduled to run from March 8 to 23 2024, and will be the first to be hosted by Ghana since it was first organized in 1965.
It had to entirely serve as qualifiers for the Olympic Games, but due to the delay, not all disciplines will serve as qualifiers. Out of the 29 sports, just eight will serve as qualifiers; athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon and wrestling.
Cameroon’s Minister of Sports, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, presided at a farewell ceremony on Wednesday in Yaounde, organized for Cameroon’s sixty-five athletes who will compete in eight disciplines.
The 13th African Games will be played across three cities, Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. The competition comes up every four years, one year before the Olympics, which will be held this y
ear in July in Paris.
Source: Cameroon News Agency
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the 13th African Games for generations to benefit.
He said Africa was blessed with rich diversity, hence the need to cherish the unique contributions of participating countries who possessed different cultures, traditions and identity.
The President made this call during the opening ceremony of the African Games at the Legon Sports Stadium in Accra.
He said it was heart-warming to witness the role sports plays in bringing the continent together.
‘As you compete in the games in the coming days, remember that your efforts inspire countless individuals across the continent.Strive for excellence, push your limits and showcase the immense talents that Africa possesses.’ he said.
President Akufo-Addo urged participating countries to compete with integrity and sportsmanship, to honour the values of fair play and neutral respect in the competition.
He called on key players in the sports ecosystem to rally behind Ghana in making the
games a memorable one.
‘I extend my heartfelt congratulations for your dedication and determination in reaching this prestigious games,’ he said.
Ghana, in 2018 won the bid to host the games for the first time in its history.
The 13th Africa Games is marked by the participation of more than 6,000 athletes from 53 countries, competing in 29 disciplines.
It features Armwrestling, basketball, boxing, chess, football, volleyball, handball, athletics, table tennis, tennis, badminton, among others.
Source: Ghana News Agency
