By Rihana Adam, GNA
Accra, Feb. 6, GNA – The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC-Ghana), in collaboration with the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), has dispatched three para-athletes to Dubai to compete in the 2026 Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix.
The competition doubles as a qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The three athletes, Botsyo Nkegbe, Zinabu Issah and Hayford Addai, together with their coach, Mr Emmanuel Anum Sowah, would compete at the four-day championship scheduled for February 10 to 13, 2026, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
As part of a phased departure, Coach Sowah travelled on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, with Hayford Addai, who is set to make his international debut at the championship.
Addai would also undergo his first international classification in Dubai on February 6, 2026, where he would be expected to be confirmed as a T47 para-athlete.
The teenage arm-amputee sprinter and long jumper, who would be in his second year at Konongo Senior High School, has shown great potential, having competed in the Ashanti Regional Inter-schools Athletics Competition alongside non-disabled athletes.
The Dubai Grand Prix would mark Addai’s first appearance at a World Para Athletics event and represents the final direct qualifying opportunity for the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be hosted in Glasgow, Scotland.
At the championship, Zinabu Issah (F57 – Women) would compete in the Shot Put and Discus Throw events, while Hayford Addai(T47 – Men) contests in the 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and Long Jump.
Nkegbe (T54 – Men) would also represent Ghana in the 100 metres, 800 metres and 1500 metres events.
The NPC-Ghana expressed optimism that the trio would secure direct qualification to join Paralympian Tahiru Haruna, who has already booked a place at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Para Powerlifting event.
The Committee also expressed its appreciation to the GOC for the financial support extended to the team, which has made their participation in the championship possible.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade