Accra, Aug 24, GNA – Mr Wael Fathy, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Ghana, has commended the leadership of Ghana Armwrestling Federation for the development of armwrestling in Ghana and their consistency in promoting the sport across the continent.
He also called for stronger collaboration between Ghana and Egypt to advance the Armwrestling, sports business, sports tourism and broader sports development across Africa.
Ambassador Fathy made the call when the leadership of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation engaged him at the embassy to discuss strengthening Ghana-Egypt sports cooperation, with particular emphasis on Armwrestling development, its inclusion in the 2027 African Games, athlete and technical exchanges, sports business and tourism.
The meeting was attended by Board members Dr. Kofi Addo-Agyekum, Edwin Amankwah, Mr Joseph Cudjoe, Husseni Akueteh Addy Robert Appiah Ameyaw and Benjamin Ohene Danso.
Ambassador Fathy commended Ghana’s achievements in Armwrestling and described the sport as an important platform for strengthening relations between Ghana and Egypt, particularly through youth development and people-to-people engagement.
“Ghana and Egypt have a long and historic relationship, and we should continue to look for new areas where our two countries can work together. Sport provides an excellent platform for bringing our people, especially our young people, closer together,” Ambassador Fathy said.
He called for cooperation that goes beyond competition, encouraging both countries to explore the commercial and tourism opportunities that can emerge from sporting activities.
“We should look beyond the competition itself and see the wider opportunities that sport can create. There is potential for cooperation in investment, business, tourism, training and youth development, and these are areas where Ghana and Egypt can work together,” he added.
A key issue discussed was the inclusion of Armwrestling in the 2027 African Games in Egypt as a sports code. The Ghanaian delegation highlighted the sport’s ability to contribute significantly to a host nation’s medal campaign, pointing to its strong showing at the previous African Games hosted by Ghana and the potential for its inclusion to further strengthen Egypt’s prospects on home soil.
Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation and Africa Armwrestling Federation, said the engagement provided an opportunity to build a strategic partnership between the two countries around Armwrestling and wider sports development.
“We see Egypt not only as a sporting powerhouse but also as a strategic partner for the development of Africa Armwrestling. Our objective is to build a partnership that goes beyond the table to technical development, athlete exchanges, business, tourism and sports diplomacy. We believe Ghana and Egypt can pull Africa together to create a stronger future for Armwrestling and African sport,” Mr Osei Asibey said.
He added the proposed collaboration could include technical and athlete exchanges, coaching programmes, training camps and competitions, allowing both countries to share expertise and strengthen the capacity of athletes, coaches, referees and administrators.
“When Armwrestling succeeds, it creates opportunities for athletes, coaches, businesses, tourism operators and young people. We want Ghana and Egypt to work together to make Cairo 2027 a success and to ensure that Armwrestling becomes a permanent and valuable part of the African Games movement,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade