The Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) is seeking stronger collaboration with India as the national team, Golden Arms, prepare to compete at the 47th World Armwrestling Championships in New Delhi later this year.
The move followed an engagement between GAF leadership and the High Commissioner of India to Ghana, Surinder Bhagat, aimed at exploring opportunities for sports development, technical cooperation and stronger Ghana-India sporting relations.
The discussions also touched on Ghana’s efforts to have armwrestling included in the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with the GAF delegation highlighting the potential of the sport to create more opportunities for African and Commonwealth athletes.
GAF and Africa Armwrestling Federation President Charles Osei Asibey said Ghana’s participation in the World Championships could serve as a platform for developing a lasting partnership between the two countries. He pointed out that the federation’s ambition goes beyond the upcoming global tournament.
“Our vision is to use armwrestling as a bridge between Ghana and India. We want to collaborate in athlete development, coaching, sports business, tourism and technical knowledge, while creating opportunities for our young people,” Mr Asibey said.
“Asde hosting the World Championships, India is providing a global platform for athletes from across the world to compete, connect and learn. We want Ghana’s participation to be the beginning of a stronger Ghana-India partnership in armwrestling and sports development,” he said.
High Commissioner Bhagat expressed the Indian High Commission’s readiness to support the initiative, including helping the federation establish links with Indian businesses operating in Ghana.
“We will look at how the Indian High Commission can help connect the Ghana Armwrestling Federation with the Indian business community here in Ghana, so that they can understand the opportunities within the sport and explore ways of supporting armwrestling events and its development,” he said.
Bhagat also indicated that the mission was prepared to engage relevant authorities in India regarding Ghana’s proposal for armwrestling’s possible inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
