By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, May 17, GNA — Ghana is expected to send about 40 athletes to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with participation spanning eight sports disciplines, Mr Richard Akpokavie, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), has revealed.
Addressing the GOC’s Annual General Assembly in Accra on Saturday, Mr Akpokavie said the final size of the contingent would depend on pending qualification outcomes, with 21 officials, including coaches, medical staff, safeguarding officers and a Chef de Mission, to accompany the team.
The Games are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, in a scaled-down format compared with the Birmingham 2022 edition.
Ghana would compete in athletics, boxing, cycling, judo, para-athletics, para powerlifting, para swimming and weightlifting.
“Although this year’s Commonwealth Games is a scaled-down version compared to Birmingham 2022, we believe our athletes will make Ghana proud,” Mr Akpokavie said.
He added that Ghana would leverage the event beyond sport through a “Ghana House” initiative to showcase investment, tourism and creative arts opportunities on the sidelines of the Games.
The concept, which is expected to be implemented in collaboration with the government, aims to attract partnerships and create jobs for young people.
“We hope to return from Glasgow not only with medals, but also with new partnerships and friendships that will create opportunities and jobs for young people,” he said.
Mr Akpokavie also used the platform to call for increased corporate support for Olympic and non-football sports disciplines, citing disparities in funding allocation.
“As corporate institutions, it is fair to support football with millions of dollars for World Cup campaigns, but I respectfully ask that support also be extended to the GOC and other sports,” he said.
“Even as you give football $10 million or $5 million for the World Cup, give the GOC $2 million or $1 million for the Commonwealth Games.”
He said broader investment across sports would have a wider social impact, especially for young people across the country whose interests extend beyond football.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare