The use of sport as a tool for achieving sustainable and inclusive development goals resonates with the African Union Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”, which is the continent’s masterplan on creation of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.
Against this backdrop, the 2nd Joint Meetings involving the Technical Committee for the African Games (TCAG), the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and African Sports Confederations whose sports are on the Accra 2023 African Games programme was held from 28th September to 1st October 2023 in the capital city Accra, Ghana, host of the 2023 Games. From 2nd to 3rd October 2023 the 1st Meeting of the Chefs de Mission (CDMS) and Heads of Delegations took place on 3 October 2023. The meetings come as a follow up on the preparations thus far for the African Games and to agree on concrete actionable recommendations to advance the state of readiness for the 13th Edition of the African Games to be held from 8 to 23 March 2024.
The 2nd Joint Meetings provided an opportunity for African Games key stakeholders to inspect Games facilities, evaluate the status of readiness regarding the preparations for African Games and to familiarize themselves with the Games Governing instruments such as Fundamental and General Regulations and Creative Identity Manual. The meetings also discussed issues related to technical aspects of the Games such as qualification procedures for team sports, team draw events and regulations for specific sports codes. In her remarks, the head of the African Union delegation, and Chair of TCAG H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, expressed her satisfaction with the progress of work on the ground and called on all key partners involved in the process to double their efforts to ensure that the facilities are ready and handed over to the LOC Accra 2023 in December 2023.
The Commissioner further emphasized on the need to focus solely on deliverables to ensure that the 13th Edition of the African Games, an Initiative of the African Union, are held successfully.
The Minister for Youth and Sports of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Mustapha Ussif (MP), on behalf of the Government of Ghana expressed profound gratitude and appreciation for the collaboration, cooperation, encouragement and support Ghana has received from the African Union Sports Council, Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, Association of African Sports Confederations and African Sports Confederations to deliver one of the best, if not the best African Games edition. The Minister emphasized the Government of Ghana’s commitment to develop and promote sports as an essential tool for personal and community development along economic, social, cultural and inclusivity paradigms. “Sports also seeks to promote fairness and equal opportunity for all, which are sound principles for governance and social cohesion,” said Hon. Mustapha Ussif.
During the spirited discussions in Accra, portfolio heads for the LOC presented their plans to the TCAG and the leadership of the LOC led by Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare. The key points of the presentations touched on important aspects to make the Games a success.
The meeting concluded with strong emphasis on the need for more frequent collaborations between the various stakeholders to ensure the smooth progression of the preparations.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, namely: Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, H.E Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, the Executive Chairman of the LOC, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare and members of the LOC, TCAG members, AUC Ag. Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport, Ms Angela Martins, the Coordinator of the African Union Sport Council, Dr. Decius Chipande and Staff of the AUSC, the President of the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC/UCSA), Major General Ahmed Nasser, and delegates representing the five (5) AUSC Regions of Africa as well as representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Sports Authority of Ghana
The 13th edition of the African Games will witness fifteen days of exciting contests by more than 4000 elite athletes and coaches from fifty-five African countries in twenty-nine selected sports codes and over 13,000 visitors.
The event will also have over 3000 technical officials, journalists and global celebrities with TV and online audience of over 5.5 billion..
The 13th African Games will serve as qualifier for some sports disciplines to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Games are a platform for Africa athletes to develop and showcase their sports skills and talents. Above all, the Games are also a good sport for development platform in terms of promoting Africa’s cultural integration, values, heritage, gender equality, social cohesion art and culture, which has potential to enhance socio-economic development across the continent.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Angela Martins| Ag. Director Social Development, Culture and Sports | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail: MartinsA@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Dr. Decius Chipande | Coordinator AU Sports Council | African Union Commission |Email: ChipandeD@africa-union.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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