African Games Torch Displayed In Manhyia Palace
The torch for relay ahead of the African Games was displayed in the Manhyia Palace during a courtesy call by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 13th Africa Games on Monday, March 4, 2024.
The torch designed in traditional embroidery was presented to Otumfuo four days before the opening of the games.
During the courtesy call, the Executive Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 13th Africa Games, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare briefed Otumfuo about the Games.
“In 1965, all African leaders decided to organize continental games. At the time, it was called the All-African Games. In 2013, it was renamed the African Games. We had never hosted it since its 58 years of existence but in 2018, Ghana requested to host it and it was accepted.”
He noted that the Games transcends football as it encompasses 29 sporting competitions including armwrestling, athletics, beach volleyball, boxing, cricket, football, handball, hockey, judo, karate, rugby, volleyball, weightlifting, basketball, taekwondo, mixed martial arts, speedball, sambo and teqball.
“All the 54 African Countries will be in Ghana. Currently, athletes from 15 countries are here. The opening ceremony of the games will take place on March 8 and the games will end on March 23,” he informed the King.
On venues for the games, Dr Ofosu Asare said efforts to include Kumasi among the venues proved futile as they couldn’t meet CAF conditions.
He said the competitions will thus be held at the newly constructed Borteyman Sports Complex and the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
Among African heads of State expected in the country are President Alassane Ouattara and President Bola Tinubu, he relayed.
Otumfuo for his part commended the President for his efforts at hosting the Games for the first time in the country’s history.
He, however, urged authorities to leverage the Games to scout and breed young athletes to resuscitate the country’s dying athletics and position it among the greats.
“Marathons and all other athletics went down and I hope you use this opportunity to give it the popularity it needs. There used to be what was called Inter-Schools which saw all these sports bring out the country’s great athletes to represent the country at international competitions. Help us to restore the glory of the country in sports. We used to have the likes of Nsiah Asare. Ghana used to be fierce on the sports front but we cannot boast of that today.”
He further challenged the authorities to work at winning more medals at the competition.
The delegation, led by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah, included Ibrahim Adjei Sowah, Kwesi Mantey, and Reks Brobbey, all members of the LOC.
