The Ministry of Youth and Sports has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region II seniors athletics championships, which will take place in Ghana next month.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry, appointed Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, the General Manager of Strategy and Investment at Ghana National Petroleum Authority (GNPC), as the Chairman of the LOC.

He will be supported by Charles Osei Assibey, the vice president for administration at Ghana Athletics, as the Vice Chairman, and nine others who will oversee the organisation of the competition.

The competition which will take place at the University of Ghana stadium is scheduled to start on June 3 and end on June 6 with about 450 athletes from 15 countries in the ECOWAS sub-region are expected to gather in Accra to compete.

The Director General of the National Sports Authority Hon. Dodzie Numekevor, speaking at the inauguration ceremony said the competition would serve as an opportunity for athletes to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.  “Coming on the heels of the recently held best and most successful African Games in which Ghana exhibited its organizational skills, it is safe for me to conclude that the bar has been raised. “However, seeing that some members of this LOC were members for the 13th African Games, I am doubtless that you will rise to the occasion and make all of us proud,” he said.

He said Accra was highly expected to drive sports traffic to the continent after being named the Africa City of Sports in April this year. Mr. Numekevor said despite the limited time to organise the Championship, he was optimistic the committee would deliver as expected.  He charged Ghana Athletics to encourage team Ghana to secure more qualification slots at the Olympic Games.

“For us at the National Sports Authority, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we will continue to support your efforts and to ensure that Ghana qualifies more athletes for the games in July 2024.”

Mr. Bawa Fuseini, President of Ghana Athletics, said, the newly inaugurated members could host a memorable event following their expertise in the various fields.  He said Ghana Athletics would make good use of the facilities provided by the government to groom young athletes for international competitions.

Mr. William Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Confederation of African Athletics for giving Ghana the nod to host the annual event.

Dr. Kwame Baah Nuakoh, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee assured that members would work hand in hand to deliver one of the best sporting competitions in the subregion.  “On behalf of the members of the committee, I would like to assure the Chief Director, the Director General working on behalf of the minister, and Ghanaians that we will work day and night.”

This event holds particular significance as it will serve as a qualifier for the Paris Olympics this summer.

Here is the full membership of the LOC:

Dr. Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, GNPC – Chairman

Charles Osei Asibey, Ghana Athletics – Vice Chairman

Andrew Ackah, Advertisers Association of Ghana – Member

Fadi Fatal, IMAX Media – Member

Rhodalene Owusu Ansong, MOYS Rep – Member

Bawah Alhassan, Ghana Police – Member

Edwin Amankwah, Businessman – Member

Phillipina Frimpong, GA CEO – Member

Christine Ashley, NSA – Member

Augustine Amissare, UG – Member

Daniel Duut, GA – Member

This committee will play a crucial role in ensuring the successful organization and execution of the championships.

Source : www.ghanaathletics.org