Over 13,000 participants from 54 African countries, including officials, athletes, diplomats, media, and volunteers, are expected to participate in the 13th African Games in Ghana scheduled from the 8th to the 24th of March 2024.
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Mustapha Ussif, disclosed this during a press briefing in Accra on Monday.
He stated, “The 13th African Games is expected to attract over 13,000 participants with 5,000 Athletes, 3,000 Volunteers, 3,000 Technical Officers and 2,000 Guests.”
He noted that the competition comprises 29 disciplines, including eight Olympic qualifiers (athletics, badminton, cycling, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, swimming, and wrestling), 15 non-Olympic qualifiers (arm wrestling, basketball (3×3), beach volleyball, boxing, cricket, chess, football, handball, hockey, judo, karate-do, rugby, taekwondo, volleyball, and weightlifting), and six demonstration sports (e-sports, mixed martial arts, pickleball, speedball, sambo, and scrabble).
According to Mr Ussif, the Ministry has intensified supervision of the Local Organising Committee to deliver on its technical, managerial, administrative and organisational roles.
“Consequently, there has been an intense commitment to providing the needed resources towards the completion of all outstanding programmes and activities required for the successful organisation of the Games.
“Work is progressing steadily on the construction and refurbishment of the facilities, procurement of services and the development of technical documents. Additionally, obligatory preparatory-review meetings and capacity-building activities have been held,” he added.
On the funding of the projects, he disclosed that the total contract sum of US$195,255,153.74 for the provision of facilities has been approved by Parliament.
“The breakdown of funding is as follows; Contracta Construction UK Ltd – Borteyman – US$145,086,057.54, Consar Ltd – University of Ghana Stadium – US$34,102,135.00 and Mawums Ltd – Games Village – US$16,066,961.20,” he noted.
He further stated that to make document processing easier for foreign athletes and officials competing in the Games, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the LOC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has implemented measures that would provide free visas to all foreign athletes and officials.
“This is to mitigate congestion and delays associated with the acquisition of visas,” he added.
He disclosed that to ensure the facilities are well maintained for continuous use after the games, the facilities at Borteyman would be converted into a University of Sports for Development.
According to the Minister, the completion of sporting facilities for the hosting and organisation of the 13th African Games, Accra, 2023 underscores the commitment of the government to the development of sports in Ghana.
The Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission, Madam Cessouma Minata Samate, stated that the 13th African Games would strengthen bilateral relationships between the African Nations.
She appealed to the general public to participate in the game, adding,” I urge you all to show up to support and rally behind the national teams.”
Patience Anaadem, ISD
