The official countdown to the 13th African Games kicked off today, 29 November 2023 with the Minister for Youth and Sports leading a prominent delegation. Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia joined the team as they inspected state-of-the-art sporting facilities at the Borteyman Sports Complex and the University of Ghana. The two venues will host this continent’s biggest sporting activity.
The Borteyman Sports Complex, nearing completion, boasts a swimming pool with a 10-lane competition setup, a 1000-seater Centre Court, and a versatile 1000-seater multi-purpose sports hall. Simultaneously, the University of Ghana Sports Facilities, which will play a pivotal role, include a Sports Stadium, Athletes Warm-up track, a Rugby Stadium, and an Olympic Village designated as accommodation for participating athletes.
Countdown to the 13th African Games officially launched, With a tour of facilities to be used led by Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif and Vice Prez. Mahamadu Bawumia.
— Happy 98.9 FM (@HAPPY989FM) November 29, 2023
The games are set to kick off from March 8th to March 23rd, 2024.#HappySports #Accra2023#13THAFRICANGAMES pic.twitter.com/AolJnL0ZGU
Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, the Executive Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, urged Ghanaians to rally behind the March 2024 Games, emphasizing the substantial economic benefits they bring to the nation. He expressed gratitude for the government’s support, acknowledging its instrumental role in transforming the dream of hosting the African Games into a reality.
Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia marked the occasion by stating, “Today marks the 100th day countdown to when Ghana will welcome our brothers and sisters from 54 African Union member states to participate in the African Games.” Anticipating a massive influx, he disclosed expectations of approximately 5000 elite athletes, 3000 officials, and over 30,000 fervent fans, with an estimated global viewership of 2.2 billion across traditional and social media platforms.
Reflecting on the historical context, Vice President Bawumia addressed the long-awaited moment, saying, “Despite having Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, as a founding member of the game, the question is why Ghana has not hosted the African games until now. The answer is simple. There is a time for everything, and this is our time.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the multifaceted significance of the African Games, citing it as a pivotal avenue for job creation for the youth of Africa. Emphasizing its potential impact, he stated, “The games also offer the opportunity to leverage sports as a tool for comprehensive sustainable socio-cultural and economic development.”
Mustapha Ussif, the Minister for Youth and Sports, appealed to corporate Ghana, including multinational companies, to seize the moment and collaborate with the Ministry and LOC to ensure the resounding success of the upcoming games.
Originally slated for August 2023, the Games were postponed to March 8-23, 2024, due to an impasse involving the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), African Sports Confederation, and the African Union (AU).
