Countdown to 13th African Games: Is Team Ghana racing against time for glory?

In precisely 83 days, the grand spectacle of the 13th African Games (Accra 2023), will unfold, welcoming over 3,000 athletes vying for medals and personal glory at what is hailed as the 'Olympics for Africa'.

Traditionally dominated by powerhouses such as Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, and Algeria, host countries strive not only to deliver a successful African Games, but also to see their teams excel. Ghana, as the host nation for Accra 2023, faces a critical challenge as concerns arise about the readiness of its athletes and teams to compete and excel.

Apart from Mozambique which failed to break into the top eight when they hosted the 2011 Games in Maputo, subsequent host nations put up impressive showings both in organisation and in competing.

In 2015, Congo finished sixth behind the usual heavyweights, just as Morocco did, placing fifth at the 2019 Games in Rabat.

With barely two months for the start of the March 8--23, 2024 event, there is growing concern that Ghana may not be able to replicate this record, as Team Ghana appears not ready to compete!

Late preparation

During the recent Sports Investment Summit and Awards in the Volta regional capital, Ho, the Chef du Mission of Team Ghana, Ernest Danso, revealed a surprising lack of preparations by the host team. He indicated that plans were in place to hold 'justify your inclusion’ in about 22 sporting disciplines to select athletes to represent the country.

This revelation brings worry among sports enthusiasts, especially considering Ghana's historical struggles in certain disciplines.

With only two months remaining, the absence of adequate preparations pose a potential setback for athletes who require ample time to fine-tune their skills.

Even where Ghana traditionally excels in disciplines such as football, boxing, sprint events, hockey, and weightlifting, success is far from guaranteed.

The athletes' on-field performance will ultimately determine their fate, and with inadequate preparation, securing a spot among the top 10 countries on the medal table becomes an uncertain task.

How then do we guarantee Ghana’s place among at least the top 10 countries on the medal table when we don’t even know which athletes will be representing let alone get them well prepared for the Games?

Take football, for instance. In the men’s game, the national under-23 side, Black Meteors, will be representing, but nothing has been heard about their preparations, and with teams such as Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso (winners at the 12th African Games in Rabat) set to compete in Accra too, winning gold will not be a walk in the park for Ghana.

For the Black Queens, they have been fortunate that they have been busy with their Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and 2024 Olympics qualifiers and thus are good to go, but can the same be said for the other events, the team sports and those for individuals?

Key to success

Having a history or pedigree is no longer the secret to winning in sports. There are many examples to prove that effective planning and preparation are the keys to success.

Indeed, inadequate preparations have been blamed for Ghana’s showing at international competitions and that cannot be an excuse when the Games are being held at home.

Ghana's best outing at the Games within the Millennium was at the 2003 Games in Abuja, placing 10th with four gold, five silver and 10 bronze medals, best remembered for the thrilling 4x100m relay final which Team Ghana literally snatched from the hands of Nigeria.

In 2007, Ghana won three gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze and that dropped to four gold, five silver and eight bronze. In 2015, Ghana won two gold, nine silver and eight bronze while the country returned from the 2015 Games in Rabat with two gold, two silver and nine bronze.  

The nation cannot so soon forget how a golden opportunity for Ghana to win its first WAFCON trophy was botched in 2018 when poor preparations caused the Black Queens a first round exit in the tournament staged in Ghana for the first time.

That should be a strong wake up call to get the technical persons in charge of getting the various teams that make up Team Ghana to get straight to work to avoid another embarrassment and disappointment.

Battle for Olympic slots    

Some of the events to be competed for will double as 2024 Olympic qualifiers, thus athletes who have not as yet qualified would be out to clinch their tickets, a situation that will make their events highly competitive.

From a slow start in preparation for the Games, works have impressively picked up and the contractors are set to be on time to hand over the Legon Sports Stadium and the Borteyman Sports Complex in readiness for the African Games.

The Executive Chairman of the LOC, Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, emphasises Ghana's goal to position itself among the top five sporting nations in Africa and develop the capacities of its athletes.

The critical question remains: Will Team Ghana be ready to prove its mettle on home soil? The ticking clock leaves little room for uncertainty.