African Senior Athletics Championships: Ghana, Nigeria to renew rivalry in Accra
Global spotlight will be firmly placed on Accra this week as Ghana welcomes Africa’s top athletics stars for the 24th Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Senior Athletics Championships, which begins tomorrow at the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon.
For athletics fans, another explosive Ghana-Nigeria sprint rivalry is set to unfold two years after the same venue produced unforgettable drama during the 13th African Games.
Again, Ghana’s fast-rising sprint stars will square off against Nigeria’s elite sprinters in what promises to be six days of high-intensity competition, continental bragging rights and world-class performances from May 12-17.
More than 1,500 athletes and 500 officials from about 54 countries are expected in Accra for Africa’s premier track and field championship across 44 disciplines, turning the Ghanaian capital into the heartbeat of African athletics.
Africa’s best on parade
And the cast list guarantees fireworks. Nigeria’s world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan; Zambia’s Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga, as well as South Africa and Botswana’s formidable relay teams, have all confirmed participation in a championship expected to showcase the very best of African athletics.
For Ghanaian fans, however, much of the anticipation centres on the sprint track, where the home nation’s emerging stars are determined to defend national pride against their fiercest regional rivals.
Ghana’s speed arsenal — comprising Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah, Ibrahim Fuseini, Isaac Botsio and Edwin Gadayi — is buoyed by last week’s successful qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing during the World Relays in Botswana.
Their confidence is unmistakable. Gadayi, one of the central figures in Ghana’s relay resurgence, has already thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the men’s 4x100m relay, insisting the gold medal will remain in Ghanaian hands after the team’s triumph at the last continental championships.
“I’m very proud to be part of the qualified team for the World Championships; it’s something every athlete hopes for,” Gadayi told the Graphic Sports after training last Friday. “We plan to carry the same energy into this competition and defend our title.”
“There’s no pressure at all because we’ve gained a lot of experience. What we need now is the support of Ghanaians. We want the stadium packed because that energy can push us even further,” he added.
The championship also represents another major test for Ghana’s growing reputation as a host of elite continental sporting events.
The competition will be preceded by a two-day CAA Council and Technical Meetings, with global athletics heavyweights, including World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe, and CAA President, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, in Accra to give it a global outlook.
Strong tradition
First staged in 1979, the African Championships have long served as the launchpad for some of the sport’s greatest names, including Haile Gebrselassie, Hicham El Guerrouj, Caster Semenya and David Rudisha. Now, a new generation is preparing to write its own chapter in Accra.
Ghana’s field events contingent is equally expected to draw attention, particularly national high jump queen Rose Yeboah, who headlines the host nation’s medal hopes alongside the sprint teams.
Team Ghana coach Georgina Sowah believes local supporters are about to witness a stronger and more mature Ghanaian team than the one that thrilled crowds during the African Games.
“We have selected our very best to compete against Africa’s best, so there will be no intimidation,” Madam Sowah said confidently. “Hosting Africa is a huge honour for Ghana, and it will be even more special if our athletes rise to the occasion in front of the home fans.”
Putting best foot forward
Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Iddie Adams, has repeatedly stressed that lessons from the successful hosting of the 2023 African Games are guiding preparations for the continental event.
“From the moment Ghana was entrusted with this honour, we have worked closely with the Confederation of African Athletics and the Local Organising Committee to ensure everything is in place. We don’t want any hiccups,” the minister stated.
“Africa is coming to Accra, and we want visitors to feel at home while seeing Ghana’s readiness to host a world-class championship,” he added.
The 10-member Local Organising Committee, chaired by GCB Bank Managing Director Farihan Alhassan, has accelerated operational preparations covering accommodation, transport, security, protocol, media and sponsorship logistics.
More than 100 trained technical officials are expected to officiate during the championships, with additional electronic timing systems procured to satisfy international competition standards.
President of Ghana Athletics, Fuseini Bawa, believes the ingredients are in place for a championship worthy of the continental stage.
“It’s very important because Africa’s best athletes are coming to compete on one of the best tracks in the world,” he said. “This is Africa’s biggest athletics competition, and it’s going to be fireworks in Accra.”
