By Edzorna Francis Mensah
Mustapha Ussif, Minister for Youth and Sports has told parliament that the 13th African Games was largely successful despite the few challenges attributed to circumstances beyond government’s control.
According to the Minister, major challenges faced prior to the commencement of the games relative to the facilities, generally are circumstances beyond government’s control which have affected the smooth construction of facilities for the Games as well as external crisis which also contributed significantly in affecting the preparations and dates for the Games, “just as it did to many international sporting calendars, between 2020 and 2023”.
He also acknowledged the low publicity of the Games which led to low attendance in the first week of the competitions as it was evident in the spectator turnout during the Opening Ceremony as compared to the attendance at the Closing Ceremony.
He again submitted that, the fear and anxiety that surrounded the possibility of meeting deadlines on the provision of facilities and infrastructure as well as the acquisition of relevant equipment and logistics for the Games also has some impact on the general performance by the players but he was quick to add that, “with the organisation of the 13th African Games, Ghana can now boast of world class sporting facilities ready to host both local and international competitions”.
Speaking on competitions and results, Mr. Mustapha Ussif, said, Twenty-Nine (29) sports disciplines were selected for the competition. Eight (8) of these disciplines served as Olympic qualifiers to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, whilst fifteen (15) were non-Olympic qualifiers.
Additionally, six (6) disciplines were used as Demonstration sports but in all, “one thousand and ninety-one (1091) medals were awarded at the end of the competitions, comprising three hundred and thirty-four (334) gold, three hundred and thirty-one (331) silver and four hundred and twenty-six (426) bronze medals”
The team Ghana participated in 29 disciplines and placed sixth on the medals table with 69 medals comprising 19 gold, 29 silver and 21 bronze, the best of Ghana’s performance at an International multi sports events as detailed in the table below:
Team Ghana started camping in Cape Coast on January 9th 2024 and moved to the Games Village on February, 8th to continue their training and testing of the new sporting facilities. 404 athletes and 91 officials represented Ghana at the 13th African Games. This was the largest contingent of athletes and officials Ghana has ever presented to the African Games.
Egypt and South Africa who received $45M and $200M respectively from their Ministries of Sports topped the medal table. The Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist from Egypt were promised ($3,000, $2,000 & $1000).
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif however mentioned that, hosting the 13th African Games in Ghana has boosted the nation’s sports facilities and boosted its status among African countries with excellent multi-purpose sports facilities and that, “The facilities at Borteyman, especially, the Aquatic Centre is one of its kind in the whole of Africa.
This has positioned Ghana as a preferred destination to host and organize international competitions and tournaments. We have already received requests from international sports bodies seeking to host international sports events in Ghana. For example, the Commonwealth has been in contact, wanting Ghana to host the Commonwealth Youth Games.”
