Ghana’s Youth teams are scheduled to take part in the second edition of the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana from 22nd May to 31st May.

According to Rev. Richmond Quarcoo Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) the competition is reserved exclusively for athletes between the ages of 16 -17 years.

Ghana will be participating in swimming, boxing, athletics, table tennis, fencing, judo, weightlifting, badminton and cycling.

The Ghana Olympic Committee has been working in collaboration with the National Sports Authority and Ministry of Youth and Sports to prepare for the games

The local Olympic governing body has also been liaising with the various federations to select the best youth athletes in the various disciplines for the competition.

The competition will give the youngsters international exposure and prepare them for the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China later in the year.

The Ghana Athletics Association and the Ghana Swimming Federation will also be using the competition as qualifiers for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

The Chef De Mission of Ghana’s delegation to the African Youth Games, Rev. Richmond Quarcoo, is hoping the various teams will be ready in time for the competition.

“The competition will be a great opportunity to give our youth athletes international exposure in our quest to help nurture their talents,” Rev. Quarcoo said.

“Some of the various Federations have started their own non-residential camping. We’re proposing a three or four week camp before the competition starts in May,” he concluded.