African Games 2023: ‘Event didn’t look possible a few months ago’ – Former Nigeria Sports Minister marvelled at Ghana’s efforts
Immediate past Nigerian Minister for Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has expressed surprise at Ghana’s ability to host the 13th African Games from an impossible situation ten months ago.
According to Dare, who was deeply involved with the process through an AU committee, said in an interview in Accra that ten months ago, when Ghana asked for an eight-month extension, hosting the Games in Ghana appeared impossible.
After demonstrating a strong commitment to develop some world-class facilities, Dare believes Ghana, President Akufo-Addo, and the Minister for Sports deserve commendations.
“I think we must commend the President of Ghana, the Minister for Youth and Sports of Ghana, Mustapha Ussif, because when you look back 10 months ago it was almost impossible that this would take place and Ghana requested for 8 months extra to be able to put everything in place,” said Dare, who is in Accra for the Games.
“We have seen what they (Ghana) have done. We have seen a brand new stadium at the University [of Ghana], we have seen the Games village, and we have seen on display the absolute commitment of the government of Ghana and the efforts of the Minister and his team,” he added.
“I have been to the games, and I think that this is commendable. I was the chairman of the African Union team last year when we took the decision to extend the time for Ghana to be able to prepare. I’m happy that in eight months, Ghana has been able to pull this together.’
Dare described the successful hosting of another African Games as “a pride for Africa that 54 countries are gathered here, 29 sports and 7 different venues for the 13th edition of the African Games.”
“It requires a lot to host the African Games. It requires the political will and support of the government of the country, it requires a minister and ministry of Sports that is up and running and has the political zeal to pull it through, it requires all the support of stakeholders in the sports architecture; the Athletics, the federations and all those involved coming together and work together to make this happen.”
Ghana is hosting the 54-country and 29-discipline sports festivals after building multi-purpose infrastructure in Accra.
