Sports News of Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

'Africa Games will re-organise sports' - Rex Danquah

Magnus Rex Danquah Magnus Rex Danquah

Mr. Magnus Rex Danquah Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana 2023 Project team, has said hosting of the Africa Games by Ghana, presents the country, with a huge opportunity to re-organise about 30 sporting disciplines in the country.

Ghana won the bid to host and organise the 13th African Games in 2023, at Algiers, Algeria in October 2018.

According to the marketing consultant, the hosting rights would place the country in a good position to re-organise sporting disciplines categorized, as the least financed sports (lesser known sports).

He told delegates at the 6th International Sport Press Association (AIPS) Africa Congress, held recently in Accra that “winning the bid obviously would give us the first opportunity to re-organise over 25 sporting disciplines, hitherto identified as lesser-known sports”.

“For the first time in the annals of the Games, Ghana would have three cities co-hosting the Games. We would also use the hostels of selected universities as mini games villages as one of the cost-saving endeavours for the Games.”

The African Games boss added, “For the Ministry of Youth and Sports, it offers the unique opportunity to work on several synergies, including the recent inauguration of committees such as for the National Sport Policy Review, to enable us as a nation to reposition sport, especially as an emerging industry.

“Ghana would also be hosting the 60th anniversary of the Games (1965-2025), as well as host the Games Awards on behalf of the African Union, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Union Sports Council (AUSC).”

He indicated that Ghana has also accepted to construct as part of the requisite infrastructure and host on behalf of the Games, the African Union Sport Museum & Hall of Fame with a 1,500-capacity auditorium for hosting annual African Sport Awards.

The hosting of the Games would see the running of a 10,000 volunteer programme, with volunteers from selected African nations.