Ghana’s remarkable ascent in the African Games has sparked widespread acclaim from sports enthusiasts and stakeholders alike.
The nation’s stunning leap from 15th place in the previous edition to an impressive 6th place in 2024 has captured the attention of the sports community, highlighting Ghana’s burgeoning potential and the transformative leadership of its Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Ussif.
Under Minister Ussif’s visionary leadership, Ghana’s sports industry has undergone a profound renaissance, marked by unprecedented achievements in grassroots development and infrastructure growth.
Through innovative programs and investments in youth development, Minister Ussif has cultivated a fertile environment for nurturing emerging athletes, paving the way for their seamless transition into senior sports teams.
Furthermore, Ghana’s hosting of the African Games in 2023 underscores the nation’s dedication to expanding its infrastructure base and solidifying its status as a regional sports hub.
Speaking on Ghana’s remarkable achievement, Minister Mustapha Ussif expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and affirmed his commitment to further advancing the nation’s sports agenda.
He stated, “The remarkable progress we have witnessed at the African Games is a testament to the collective efforts of our athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that Ghana’s journey to sporting excellence has only just begun.”
On the eve of the closing ceremony alone, Ghana clinched eight gold medals, winning the ultimate prize in women’s hockey, 200m men’s athletics event, high jump, men’s football event and four boxing gold medals.
All in one night.
Ghana also made history by becoming the first country to win gold in both men’s and women’s football events at the Games.
The closing ceremony of the Games saw star performances from music superstars such as Stonebwoy, Stanley Enow, Wiyaala, Innoss’B, amongst others.
As Ghana continues its upward trajectory in the realm of sports, the nation stands poised to achieve even greater milestones under the visionary leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Sports minister, Mustapha Ussif.
Tag: Games
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The Nigerian team competing in the 13th edition of the All African Games in Ghana achieved great success in the Freestyle Women’s Wrestling category, bringing home six gold medals.
The winners and their respective categories are: Blessing Genesis (50kg) defeating Emma Nekassa of Kenya, Ogunsanya Christiana (53kg) defeating Mohammad S. Of Egypt, Adekuroye Odunayo (57kg) defeating TBD, Kolowole Esther (62kg) defeating Kruger M of the Republic of South Africa, Oborodudu Blessing (68kg) defeating Abdullateef S of Egypt, and Hannah Rubin (76kg) defeating Hamza S. Of Egypt.
Nigeria’s Anioluwapo Opeyori, the African Badminton champion, also brought home one gold and one silver medals.
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, congratulated the athletes and coaches for their impressive performance, stating that it was a proud moment to see Nigerian women fly the flag high.
He encouraged the athletes to stay focused on winning, while assuring them that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to supporting The Nigerian Sports sector in all ramifications and ensuring that all dues were paid on time.
The Nigerian team is looking forward to more success in the coming days of the competition, with other contingents expected to do well in their respective sports. -
A team of resource persons from Nigeria will embark on a ministerial retreat to next year’s African Games in Ghana and the Olympics/Paralympics in France.
The retreat which will be led by the Honourable Minister of Sports Senator John Enoh will focus on addressing some of the factors responsible for the poor performance of Nigerian athletes at international sports competitions.
In his inaugural address on Wednesday 13 December 2023 Senator Enoh emphasized the imperative nature of evaluating strategies pertinent to training regimens, athlete and official codes of conduct, anti-doping education, and the pivotal roles of National Sports Federations in ensuring podium success at the 2024 Africa Games in Ghana and the forthcoming Olympic/Paralympic Games in Paris, France.
“I would like to commend my resource persons who have been working assiduously behind the scene towards Nigeria’s preparation and participation to podium success,” the Minister said. “I have implicit confidence in the capability of the team to make this retreat meaningful.”
He said that the Ministry of Sports Development will use the retreat to address performance-hindering issues such as lack of identifiable process to improve performance of athletes, lack of professionalism from sports administrators, athletes and athletes support personnel, funding and late release of funds, athletes’ preparation (in terms of good training programmes), anti-doping education, and lack of scientific approach to training programmes.
Enoh added that fact finding team will henceforth function as the Ministerial Podium Performance monitoring team.
The group will monitor the preparations of federation athletes for the 2024 Africa Games and Olympic/Paralympic Games in Accra, Ghana and Paris, France respectively.
The minister concluded that all monitoring activities are to be reported to his office on a regular basis.
He declared the retreat open and reiterated that success in sports is a barometer for evaluating effective and meaningful governance at all levels. -
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is scheduled to hold its 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 13.
The Public Relations Officer of NOC, Tony Nezianya in a statement said the Executive Board during its virtual board meeting on Tuesday 21 November 2023, resolved that it will be either a virtual or physical meeting.
The early December date was to avoid a clash with build-up to Christmas and the New Year celebrations.
The option of choosing between a virtual or physical meeting is considered a revolutionary approach adopted by the board.
By opting for either a virtual or physical meeting, the executive board has become futuristic in embracing modern technology and expanded participation.