Team Ghana off to All Africa Games

Ghana’s 350-member contingent departed Accra for Congo Brazzaville yesterday with the aim of bettering their previous performances at this year’s All Africa Games which start on Friday

The contingent was led by Ghana’s Chef de Mission, Saka Acquaye, who will be expecting his charges to improve upon their medal haul of 17 (4 gold, 5 silver and eight bronze) at the nation’s ill-fated participation at the 2011 edition held in Maputo, Mozambique.

Among those looking to excel in Brazzaville will be the Black Meteors, the nation’s U-23 men’s football team, who will be looking to match the gold-winning feat chalked four years ago in Maputo.

The national women’s team, the Black Queens, coached by Yusif Basigi, will also be seeking to reach for the ultimate this time around after they were beaten to the gold medal by Cameroun the last time out.

The nation’s hopes in swimming will be shouldered by the Jackson Brothers, Abeiku and Kwasi, who are aiming at their first medals at the senior level.

It remains to be seen whether 2014 Youth Olympic gold medalist, Martha Bissah, will be allowed to take to the track after the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, added her to the contingent as an observer.

Team Ghana will also fancy their chances in the sprints and other track and field events where they will be represented by many foreign-based athletes.

The foreign-based roster includes sprinters Emmanuel Dasor, Flings Owusu-Agyapong, Gemma Acheampong, Suzie Acolatse, Janet Amponsah, heptathlete Elizabeth Dadzie, triple jumpers Nadia Eke and Mathilde Boateng, 800 metres runner Alex Amankwah, pole vaulter Jordan Yamoah, javelin thrower John Ampomah, decathlete Atsu Nyamadi and Julia Agawu.