Accra, Dec 16, GNA – The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games has said they will organize regional and national championships to select athletes who will represent Ghana at the Games.
Although the various National Federations have a core team to represent the country, the LOC said they would organize these championships to beef up the various national teams.
This was made known by Dr. Kwaku Ofosi-Asare, the Executive Chairman of the LOC, during the unveiling of the official logo, mascot, and website for the African Games which has been dubbed “Accra 2023”.
He said these events would begin in January and would be held in all 16 regions in partnership with the National Federations who would provide the technical assistance for the championships.
Mr. Mustapha Ussif, Minister for Youth and Sports, commended the LOC for coming up with the logo and mascot saying that would begin the publicity and awareness creation for the Games.
He explained the eagle mascot represented a mentality of strength and braveness, while the Logo represented a symbol of African unity through sports and the website (www.accra2023ag.com) as a place for people to visit to gain more information on the African Games.
He also thanked the President, Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo for directing the ministry in 2018 to prepare a bid to the African Union (AU) which subsequently resulted in Ghana’s winning of the bid to host the Games.
He added that Ghana’s preparations for the Games so far have been good and that was a clear indication that the country is ready and willing to hold the African Games.
The minister also commended the Local Organizing Committee and the Authorities of the University of Ghana for their support towards the preparation of this event.
The African Games is a multi-sport contest geared towards advancing top-class African Sports and fostering cultural exchanges between the Member States of the African Union.
The 2023 Games would be a qualifying event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
GNA