By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Top athletes from 54 African countries will assemble in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, next week to participate in the 24th edition of the African Senior Athletics Championships.
The 2026 African Senior Athletics Championship will be the first outdoor competition for this season, as many of the athletes intend to use it as preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
The country’s minister for sports and recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, says Ghana would be guided by the lessons and success of hosting the 2023 Africa Games to ensure that the event becomes successful.
“From the moment Ghana was entrusted with this honor, we have worked closely with the Confederation of African Athletics and the local organizing committee (LOC) to ensure everything is in place,” said the minister recently.
Adams assured the Ghanaian government’s readiness to host a world-class championship.
“Africa is coming to Accra; we invite our continental brothers and sisters to join us in making this event a success and a showcase of Africa’s best athletes. When visitors arrive, we want them to feel at home and see Ghana’s readiness to host a world-class championship,” he added.
President of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Bawa Fuseini, who is also a member of the local organizing committee, is determined to recreate the electric atmosphere that greeted athletics events at the same venue during the 13th African Games.
“We want to generate the same euphoria we witnessed at the University of Ghana Stadium during the African Games,” said Fuseini.
He also indicated that additional electronic timing equipment has been procured to meet international standards, aligning the event with benchmarks set by World Athletics and the Olympic Games.
Ghana’s high-performing athletes, including the 4x100m men’s relay team, who have qualified for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, are expected to participate.
Almost all the top African stars who participated in the African Games are coming back with stars such as Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, and South Africa’s and Botswana’s high-flying relay teams, who have dazzled on the world stage, confirming their participation.
For Ghana, it will be an opportunity to reconnect with heroes such as Africa’s high-jump queen, Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah, and track stars Joseph Paul Amoah, Benjamin Azamati, Ibrahim Fuseini, Isaac Botsio, Edwin Gadayi, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu.
The championship, which is being held two years after the West African country hosted the 13th African Games, is scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium from May 12 to 17. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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