By Theophilus Sampah
The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana’s long-awaited National Talent Identification Program successfully commenced in the Ashanti Region at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, on Saturday 12th July 2025.
The program which was organized by the Ghana Para Athletics Association in collaboration with the NPC-Ghana, aimed at scouting for and nurturing up-and-coming talented athletes to harness their potential and feed into the National Para Athletics team for participation in future national and international competitions.
The one-day talent identification exercise in Zone-1 brought together over 29 persons with impairment or disabilities from Kumasi and its environs including Offinso, Konongo, Beposo, Asante Mampong, KNUST among others.
The participants whose ages range between 15 years and 43 years were introduced to basic skills in Para Athletics events (track and field) such as wheelchair racing, 100 meters, 200 meters, Javelin, Shot put, and Discus. The exercise was conducted by Coach Suleman Aminu, Patrick Yaw Obeng a former national athlete and Zinabu Issah a national athlete and Paralympian.
Significantly, the exercise was very successful and the overarching objective achieved as fifteen (15) enthusiastic young, and determined potential athletes were discovered and selected at the end of the program for further training and nurturing. It also helped the Association to gather data and prepare accurate national database on para athletics participants.
The Ghana Para Athletics Association wishes to express its profound gratitude to the National Lotteries Authority for their collaborative support towards the successful execution and delivery of the program. Also, Mr. Samson Deen-NPC President, Foster Kwarteng, Chairman of the Para Athletics Association of Ghana, Dr. Isaac Donkor, Dr. Abena Tannor, Ignatius Elletey, Imoro Abdul Basit as well as all the executive members of the Association for their diverse support.
The next event is expected to be organized in the Central Region on Saturday, 19th July 2025 at the Cape Coast Stadium. Come showcase your talent, the journey to greatness starts here!!!
