Author: Victoria Kwofie
Athletes who represented Ghana at the 2nd Edition of the ANOCA Zone III Games in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, were on Tuesday, October 29th, officially received by the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Richard Akpokavie and his executives at the GOC headquarters in Accra.
Ghana presented 43 athletes across four disciplines, and remarkably, every athlete returned home with a medal.
Volleyball (Men) – Gold
Karate-Do – 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
Taekwondo – 3 Bronze
Handball (Men and Women) – Silver each
The 10-day competition featured teams from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Niger, Liberia, and host Burkina Faso.
Led by Chef de Mission Nii Lante Bannerman and Team Manager Nana Adu Mintah, the delegation presented their medals and trophies to the GOC leadership.
In his congratulatory remarks, President Akpokavie applauded the athletes’ commitment and patriotism; “We are extremely proud of your performance. You represented Ghana with dedication and discipline, and these medals are a clear testament to your hard work. At the GOC, the welfare and development of athletes remain a top priority, and we are committed to supporting your growth. Continue striving, both at club and national level. Your hard work will continue to open doors.”
GOC Treasurer, Mr. Evans Yeboah also encouraged the athletes to balance sports with life beyond competition; “While you pursue excellence in sports, remember to invest in your future. If you are a student, take your education seriously. If you are working or running a business, remain committed. When your active sporting career ends, you should have something solid to fall back on.”
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, one team representative expressed gratitude to the GOC leadership and coaches; “We are grateful for the opportunity to represent Ghana. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our journey. We will continue to work hard to make the country proud.”
To conclude the reception, President Akpokavie and his executives led the entire contingent to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, to present the medals and brief him on the team’s achievements.