President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Africans to continue to harness the power of sport as a force for positive change, promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding among all peoples of the continent.
The President made this clarion call at the closing ceremony of the 13th African Games at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, Accra, on Saturday, to bring down the curtains on the continental games.
The closing ceremony was another colourful spectacle, as athletes from all over Africa marched around the tracks to bid farewell after competing in the games.
The ceremony was climaxed by a series of musical performances by a rich lineup of African stars, including Ghanaian artists Stonebwoy and Wiyaala, Cameroonian rapper Stanley Enow, and Congolese musician Innoss’B, exhibiting the alluring musical prowess of the African youth.
The 13th African Games, acclaimed as one of the best to have been held in recent memory, saw the likes of Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa dominating the medal table. Ghana finished sixth out of 53 participating nations, an improvement over its 15th position in the 2019 Games in Rabat.
Some 5,000 athletes participated in this year’s African Games in 30 disciplines, an increase from the 2019 African Games, which offered 26 sports. The 2015 Games had 22 disciplines.
The 30 disciplines included eight Olympic qualifying events, 15 non-qualifying and seven demonstration sports that showcased emerging trends and disciplines.
The Olympic qualifying events comprised swimming, athletics, badminton, cycling, tennis, table tennis, wrestling and triathlon.
Demonstration sports included e-sports, mixed martial arts, sambo and scrabble.
One of the most significant legacies for Ghana is the construction of the new US$145 million (€132.5 million) Borteyman Sports Complex, which comes with a 1,000-seat Olympic-sized pool, 10-lane competition pool and an eight-lane warm-up pool.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the president underscored Ghana’s commitment to the development of sports, with the provision of world-class sporting facilities such as the newly constructed Borteyman Sports Complex, which will soon become a sports university, further boosting the development of sports in the country
The President noted that these games brought together the best athletes from our continent and highlighted the true meaning of African diversity, unity and the common purpose of promoting the continent.
Mustapha Ussif, the Minister for Youth and Sports in his remarks was full of praise for all who were associated with the organization of the games for their resilience in defying the challenges that beset the games from the onset.
A representative from the African Union, Madam Minata Samate Cesouma delivered a message, on behalf of the Chairman of the African Union, Mousa Faki.
The African Games 2023 was also seen as a form of preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games which will take place in Paris in July 2024.
Egypt will host the next African Games in 2027.
