The Special Olympics Ghana has reechoed the sporting prowess of Ghana at the international stage following their scintillating performance in the just ended Pan African Games in Egypt.
Ghana made giant strides in the 9-day championship and was accompanied with 21 medal haul in all the events the West African side participated. The team won gold in the male 4×100 relay while their women also produced silver in same event.
In the senior division, Ghana exhibited her footballing venoms in the entire competition to become the toast of the huge spectators to pick a silver medal after 1-0 loss to Algeria in the final game.
“This is remarkable looking at our performance. 21 medals won by these special athletes which society thinks they are outcast could be fussed into the society. All we ask for is financial support from the corporate world to bring more medals to this dear country of ours,” the Board Chairman of Special Olympics Ghana, ACP (rtd) Augustine Kokukorkor, told reporters at the arrival hall of the Kotoka International Airport.
Meanwhile, the enviable achievement by the team has swept away the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof Peter Twumasi, in dismay when the team paid a courtesy call at his office with their medals on Thursday, January 30. In showing appreciation, the NSA boss on behalf of his outfit presented a cash of ¢10,000 ($1,814) to the team and urged them to strive for excellence whenever they are on the field representing Ghana.
The maiden Pan African Games which was a joint event hosted by the Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa and Africa regions featured over 800 athletes competing across Africa’s most practiced para sports: football, basketball, bocce and athletics.
Special Olympics games are designed for children living with intellectual disability worldwide.
Story filed by Michael Okuley.
Twitter: @MikeOkuley
