President of Rugby Africa Herbert Mensah could barely contain his excitement as Rugby makes its long-awaited debut at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.
After being left out in previous editions, Rugby sevens, variant of Rugby union, has finally taken its place alongside other popular sports like athletics, football, and basketball at the African Games – the biggest multi-sport event on the continent.
To accommodate rugby’s debut, Ghana has commissioned a new, state-of-the-art rugby stadium at the University of Ghana in Accra. The modern facility will host the rugby sevens competition from March 18th to 22nd.
“I stand with great pride as rugby takes its rightful place within the African Games,” Mensah stated.
“This is a historic moment for our sport and for the continent as a whole.”
After years of advocating for rugby’s inclusion, Mensah’s jubilant reaction highlighted the significance of the occasion. The fast-paced sevens format is now part of Africa’s premier multi-sport event for the first time.
Ghana, a founding member of the African Games, is hosting the Olympic event for the first time, welcoming elite athletes from 43 African countries to compete in 29 different sports.
As the colorful opening ceremony unfolded on March 8th, it represented the dawn of a new era for African rugby, with Mensah describing it as a testament to Africa’s commitment.
“The African Games are a testament to our continent’s commitment to sport,” he said.
“It’s a platform where our athletes can shine, our nations can unite, and our shared passion for the game can be celebrated on a grand scale.”
The Ghanaian rugby administrator’s pride is understandable, as the 13th edition of the African Games carries even higher stakes – serving as the official qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games rugby sevens tournament.
He sees it as an opportunity for rugby athletes to inspire their nations and the next generation of players through their skill and determination on this grand stage.
The Accra 2023 event is expected to attract 5,000 top athletes, 3,000 officials, and many local fans, while reaching an estimated global audience of 2.2 billion people through television and social media.
The African Games is organised by the African Union (AU) in conjunction with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC).
