The national capital, Accra, is set to host an athletics Olympic qualifying event from June 3-6, 2024, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium,
The event, Africa Region Zone II Seniors Athletics Championship is expected to gather over 400 athletes from 15 countries in West Africa to get a shot at qualifying to the most prestigious sporting event in the world, the Olympics.
Ghana was given the nod to host the sub-regional competition after successfully organizing the 13th African Games in Accra.
As part of preparations for the event, an 11-member Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was inaugurated to oversee the successful organization of the games.
Mr. Bawa Fuseini, President of Ghana Athletics, speaking at the inauguration said Ghana was ready to host one of the best events the sub-region had witnessed in a long while.
He said the fourth Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) Region II Seniors Athletics Championship was a stepping stone towards hosting global events in Ghana.
He assured that Ghana Athletics would make good use of the facilities provided by the government to groom young athletes for international competition.
Mr. Dodzie Numekevor, Director General of the National Sports Authority, said Accra was highly expected to drive sports traffic to the continent after being named the Africa City of Sports in April this year.
“For us at the National Sports Authority, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we will continue to support your efforts and to ensure that Ghana qualifies more athletes for the games in July 2024,” he said.
Mr. William Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Confederation of African Athletics for giving Ghana (Accra Olympics) the nod to host the annual event and urged other federations to also bid for events since Ghana has the facilities to host more international sporting events.
Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee assured that members would work hand in hand to deliver one of the best sporting competitions in the subregion.
“On behalf of the members of the committee, I would like to assure the Chief Director, the Director General working on behalf of the minister and Ghanaians that we will work day and night.”
The newly inaugurated members are Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh, GNPC – Chairman, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, Ghana Athletics – Vice Chairman, Mr. Andrew Ackah, Advertisers Association of Ghana – Member, Mr. Fadi Fatal, IMAX Media, Member, and Madam Rhodalene Owusu Ansong – MOYS Rep.
The rest are Mr. Bawa Alhassan, Ghana Police – Member, Mr. Edwin Amankwah, Businessman, Member, Madam Phillipina Frimpong, GA CEO – Member, Madam Christine Ashley, NSA Rep – Member, Mr. Augustine Amissare, UG – Member and Mr. Daniel Duut, GA – Member.
