Ghana has commissioned the University of Ghana Stadium and Rugby Field as it prepares to host the 13th African Games this month, with the country’s vice president presiding over the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.
It comes exactly a week prior to the start of the competition, following just two weeks after the opening of the Borteyman Sports Complex – the main hub for the largest sports festival across Africa.
The new state-of-the-art facility, which can seat 10,000 spectators, was officially opened by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who urge all to help make Ghana and Africa proud.
In his speech at the stadium’s unveiling, Bawumia emphasized the benefits of sports for development and socio-economic progress.
“The United Nations has identified sports as the most appropriate vehicle for sustainable development and made a pronouncement as such in 2018,”Bawumia said.
“Combined with the youthful bulge of our demographic dividend, the opportunity is here, and the time is now. Ghana is ready to host the world.”
He had also announced it on his social media page that “the commissioning of the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, and the rugby field, indicates Ghana’s preparedness to host Africa’s greatest sports festival.
The Legon Stadium, located at the University of Ghana, includes a modern track and field complex, warm-up tracks, and a fully equipped rugby stadium.
It will host Football, Athletics, Triathlon, Armwrestling, Squash and Rugby, while the during the two-week African Games.
The Borteyman Sports Complex, however, will host Badminton, Handball, Weightlifting, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Fencing and Tennis, plus Combat Sports like Karate do, Judo, Taekwondo, MMA and Wrestling. The new Aquatic Center at the Borteyman Complex will be for Swimming and Triathlon.
Turning to the stadium’s broader role in regional development, the Vice President provided context on the challenges overcome to realize the project, pointing to the “immediate and substantial” returns it is already catalyzing locally
“”Construction of these facilities have not been easy, but we know that the returns would be immediate and substantial,” said.
“Already, hitherto underdeveloped areas of the Greater Accra Region have first class roads, portable water and electricity as a result of the Borteyman Sports Complex. Other social, recreational, and economic infrastructure would spring up to propel the growth of the region.”
Despite being a founding member of games, Ghana is just hosting it for the first time in her 67 year old history, under the theme “Experience the African Dream”,
The country is expecting over 6,000 athletes from across the continent to compete in 23 sporting disciplines at various venues.
“I sincerely invite and urge all of us to put our shoulders to the plough and help make Ghana and Africa proud,” the country’s vice president added.
