9 months ago
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced its plans to repurpose the Borteyman Sports Complex into a University of Sports for Development after the conclusion of the 13th African Games scheduled to take place from March 8th to 23rd, 2024, in Accra. This strategic move aims to ensure the continual maintenance and optimal use of the facilities at the Borteyman Sports Complex for the long-term benefit of the nation.
During a meet-the-press session held on March 4, 2024, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, disclosed that the conversion would involve the addition of essential infrastructure such as hostel facilities, football pitches, a cafeteria, and a medical center at the site. The objective is to make the complex more attractive to local and foreign sports federations, encouraging them to use Ghana as a training base for various competitions.
Minister Ussif emphasized that transforming the Borteyman Sports Complex into a Sports Development University would position Ghana as a prominent sports hub within the West African sub-region. This strategic move aligns with the broader goal of fostering sports development and excellence in the country.
The Borteyman Sports Complex, commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on February 13, 2024, is set to host seven competitive sports, including table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon. Notably, four of these events will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The complex features state-of-the-art facilities, including a 1,000-seater capacity swimming pool with both competition and warm-up pools, as well as a multi-purpose Sports Hall capable of accommodating 1,000 spectators for various events such as basketball, badminton, netball, table tennis, and weightlifting.
As the 13th African Games approach, the Sports Minister highlighted that the Ministry has intensified supervision of the Local Organising Committee to ensure the successful execution of technical, managerial, administrative, and organizational responsibilities. The event will attract over 13,000 participants, including 5,000 athletes, 3,000 volunteers, 3,000 technical officers, and 2,000 guests. With over two billion spectators anticipated via TV, radio, and virtual platforms worldwide, the Games hold significant potential for showcasing Ghana as a sports destination.
In collaboration with the Local Organising Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Ministry has instituted measures to streamline the participation of foreign athletes and officials to provide free visas for all foreign participants. This initiative aims to facilitate a smooth and efficient process for documentation, promoting international collaboration and participation in the 13th African Games in Accra 2023.
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