Excitement is building among Ghanaian athletes as Accra prepares to host the 13th African Games. With the opening ceremony approaching, athletes are fine-tuning their preparations for this prestigious continental event, eager to compete on home turf.

While Chef de Mission Ernest Danso is yet to confirm the final roster of nearly 500 Ghanaian athletes, several sporting federations have already submitted their teams. The Ghana Football Association leads with a contingent of 40 players, followed by Ghana Athletics with 36 athletes and the Ghana Table Tennis Association with 10 players showcasing their skills on home soil.

Despite the anticipation, concerns linger about ticket availability, with the Local Organising Committee yet to announce pricing and availability. The recent arrival of teams from various African nations adds to the excitement, with athletes expected from 49 participating countries.

The early start of the badminton competition on March 4 provides athletes with valuable time to acclimate to the environment and foster their competitive spirit. With eight disciplines serving as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the stakes are high for Team Ghana. This represents their final opportunity to secure a place on the Olympic stage, adding extra motivation and significance to their performance on home soil.

During the inauguration of the University of Ghana Stadium, Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif expressed optimism about Ghana’s historic moment hosting the African Games for the first time. He highlighted the journey leading up to this milestone and emphasized the lasting legacy the modern sporting venues would leave for future generations.

Minister Ussif recognized the importance of collaboration, thanking all stakeholders, including the government, partners, sponsors, and local communities for their steadfast support. He called on corporate Ghana to seize the opportunity to become sponsors, emphasizing the significant impact of the event on both national and continental levels.

Chairman of the LOC, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, hailed the University of Ghana Stadium as the “heart and nerve center” of the African Games. The facility is set to host athletics, football, and rugby events during the Games, contributing to the overall success of the event. Dr. Ofosu-Asare also encouraged public servants to wear specially designed African Games T-shirts on a designated day, emphasizing national unity and support for the event.