By: Nana Kwame Bediako
On the road to the biggest regional games in Ghana, former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has officially declared Kumasi as the city to host the regional games launch on July 6, 2024, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
In an interview on GTV Sports Plus’s Studio 5 show, Mr. Franklin Leonards, the overseer of the regional games project, provided insights into the decision-making process.
He explained that the choice to host the launch in Kumasi was aimed at balancing events between Ghana’s major cities. While Accra, the capital, hosted the official media launch, Kumasi, known as the second city of Ghana, was selected for the grand launch to ensure a fair distribution of major events.
Mr. Franklin elaborated that the decision to host the launch in Kumasi was also influenced by the city’s capacity to handle such a significant event.
“We felt like we did the pre-launch in Accra, and since the major festival will also be in Accra, it was essential to pick another city with the necessary facilities. The Ashanti region, with Kumasi almost as large as Accra, was the ideal choice,” he stated.
Further shedding light on the event’s setup, Mr. Franklin detailed how the Baba Yara Sports Stadium would be arranged to represent all 16 regions of Ghana. Each region will have a specific identity, with seating areas divided accordingly.
“We have divided the seating areas in the stadium into 16 regions. The emphasis is on regions competing against each other, so we want to see the energy and representation each region brings. Each section of the seating will be designed with regional colours,” Mr. Franklin explained.
This innovative seating arrangement aims to foster regional pride and unity, encouraging fans to support their respective regions passionately.
The launch in Kumasi is not just a sporting event but a celebration of Ghana’s diverse cultural heritage and regional identities. As the date approaches, excitement continues to build, with many eagerly anticipating the grand spectacle that will set the tone for the upcoming regional games in November 2024.
