2023 African Games Explained

XIII African Games
Size:215
Host City:Accra
Nations:53
Athletes:2,644
Events:335
Website:Accra2023ag.com
Opened By:Nana Akufo-Addo (President of Ghana)
Stadium:Legon Sports Stadium
Previous:2019 Rabat
Next:2027 Cairo
Closed By:Mustapha Ussif

The 13th African Games, also known as Accra 2023, were hosted by Ghana from 8–23 March 2024.[1] Despite having Accra as the main host city, the games were held in two sub-host cities:[2] Kumasi and Cape Coast.[3] [4] The games were initially planned to be held in August 2023, however a failure to complete facilities on time and arguments over marketing revenue resulted in the games being delayed to March 2024.[5] [6]

Bids

Ghana won the rights to host the event in October 2018.[9] In November 2021, Ghana signed an agreement with the African Union to host the event.[4]

Venues

Plans to build a new stadium for the event were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

The new Borteyman Sports Complex located in Borteyman, Accra is intended to be used for indoor sports.[11]

VenueEventsCapacityStatus
Accra Sports Stadium40,000Existing
Borteyman Sports Complex[12] [13] [14] [15] 500Commissioned

500

1,000
1,000
Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium[16] Existing
Achimota Oval[17] [18] Existing
University of Ghana Sports Facilities

Renovation
Ga-Mashiae Hall

Existing
Bukom Boxing Arena4000Existing

Marketing

The mascot, the logo and the website of the event were unveiled in December 2021.[19] [20] [21]

The mascot, known asIgbo: ɔkɔdeɛ (come on), is an anthropomorphic eagle wearing the Ghanaian Flag.[22] [23]

Participating nations

From the 54 members of the ANOCA. 53 sent delegations to compete in the event, the only exception was Cape Verde. Also noteworthy was the presence of a delegation from the African Judo Union. This happened because the National Sports Federation in Angola was suspended and the country's athletes competed as neutrals in the sport. However, their 3 medals are added to the Angolan delegation in the final table.

Sports

Squash was expected to feature at the 13th African Games. But, when the final list of events, they were cut from the games program.[24] [25] In February 2022, it was announced that cricket and arm wrestling will make its debut in the 2023 edition of the games.[26] [27] Rugby union (sevens) is also set to make its debut.[28] A total of 23 sports games have been confirmed for the continental event.[29] [30] [31] [32]

Demonstration sports:[33]

Calendar

The schedule for the Games was as follows.[34]

 OC Opening ceremony ● Event competitions 1 Gold medal events CC Closing ceremony
March4th
Mon
5th
Tue
6th
Wed
7th
Thu
8th
Fri
9th
Sat
10th
Sun
11th
Mon
12th
Tue
13th
Wed
14th
Thu
15th
Fri
16th
Sat
17th
Sun
18th
Mon
19th
Tue
20th
Wed
21st
Thu
22nd
Fri
23rd
Sat
Events
Ceremonies OCCC
Arm wrestling<-- 4 -->14<-- 16 -->14<-- 17 -->28
Athletics<-- 4 -->3<-- 19 -->12<-- 20 -->11<-- 21 -->7<-- 22 -->14<-- 23 -->47
Badminton<-- 4 -->●<-- 8 -->●<-- 9 -->●<-- 10 -->5<-- 11 -->5
3x3 basketball<-- 4 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 20 -->●<-- 21 -->●<-- 22 -->4<-- 23 -->4
Beach volleyball<-- 4 -->●<-- 11 -->●<-- 12 -->●<-- 13 -->●<-- 14 -->2<-- 15 -->2
Boxing<-- 4 -->●<-- 16 -->●<-- 17 -->●<-- 18 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 20 -->●<-- 21 -->●<-- 22 -->25<-- 23 -->25
Chess<-- 4 -->1<-- 10 -->2<-- 11 -->3<-- 12 -->6
Cricket<-- 4 -->●<-- 8 -->●<-- 9 -->●<-- 11 -->●<-- 12 -->1<-- 14 -->●<-- 18 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 21 -->●<-- 22 -->1<-- Total -->2
Cycling<-- 4 -->2<-- 10 -->2<-- 11 -->4<-- 13 -->2<-- 15 -->4<-- 16 -->1<-- 17 -->15
Field hockey<-- 4 -->●<-- 18 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 21 -->2<-- 23 -->2
Football<-- 4 -->●<-- 8 -->●<-- 9 -->●<-- 10 -->●<-- 11 -->●<-- 12 -->●<-- 13 -->●<-- 15 -->●<-- 16 -->●<-- 17 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 20 -->1<-- 22 -->1<-- 23 -->2
Handball<-- 4 -->●<-- 14 -->●<-- 15 -->●<-- 16 -->●<-- 17 -->●<-- 18 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 21 -->●<-- 22 -->2<-- 23 -->2
Judo<-- 4 -->5<-- 13 -->4<-- 14 -->5<-- 15 -->1<-- 16 -->15
Karate<-- 4 -->8<-- 8 -->6<-- 9 -->2<-- 10 -->16
Rugby sevens<-- 4 -->●<-- 20 -->●<-- 21 -->2<-- 22 -->2
Swimming<-- 4 -->7<-- 10 -->9<-- 11 -->10<-- 12 -->8<-- 13 -->8<-- 14 -->42
Table tennis<-- 4 -->●<-- 5 -->2<-- 6 -->●<-- 7 -->●<-- 8 -->2<-- 9 -->1<-- 10 -->2<-- 11 -->7
Taekwondo<-- 4 -->4<-- 18 -->4<-- 19 -->4<-- 20 -->4<-- 21 -->1<-- 22 -->8<-- 32 -->25
Tennis<-- 4 -->●<-- 16 -->●<-- 17 -->●<-- 18 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 20 -->●<-- 21 -->4<-- 22 -->●<-- 23 -->2<-- Total -->6
Triathlon<-- 4 -->2<-- 16 -->2
Volleyball<-- 4 -->●<-- 12 -->●<-- 13 -->●<-- 14 -->●<-- 15 -->●<-- 16 -->●<-- 18 -->●<-- 19 -->●<-- 21 -->●<-- 23 -->2<-- Total -->2
Weightlifting<-- 4 -->12<-- 11 -->12<-- 12 -->12<-- 13 -->12<-- 14 -->12<-- 15 -->60
Wrestling<-- 4 -->6<-- 10 -->6<-- 11 -->6<-- 12 -->18
Daily medal events 0 2 0 8 8 19 38 31 29 25 21 21 15 4 7 16 15 15 56 5 335
Cumulative total 0 2 2 10 18 37 75 106 135 160 181 202 217 221 228 244 259 274 330 335
March4th
Mon
5th
Tue
6th
Wed
7th
Thu
8th
Fri
9th
Sat
10th
Sun
11th
Mon
12th
Tue
13th
Wed
14th
Thu
15th
Fri
16th
Sat
17th
Sun
18th
Mon
19th
Tue
20th
Wed
21st
Thu
22nd
Fri
23rd
Sat
Events

Medal table

Source:[35] [36] [37]

2023 African Para Games

See main article: 2023 African Para Games.

In January 2022, president of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons visited Ghana in support of the 2023 African Para Games which were also to be held in Ghana.[38] [39]

Demonstration Sports

MMA

For the first time in the history of the games, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) was introduced as a demonstration sport in the African Games. The event was conducted by Global Association Of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA). MMA athletes from all over the continent came to participate. Over a span of 2 days (11 and 12 March 2024) nearly 50 fights were conducted to finally crown the African Games Champions in their respective weight classes.[40]

The 2023 African Games MMA tournament included athletes from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sudan, and Togo.[41]

The final results of the 2023 African Games MMA tournament were announced by GAMMA on their website.[42]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: '13th African Games still Accra 2023 despite new 2024 date' – LOC chairman reveals . 2023-04-08 . www.aipsmedia.com.
  2. Web site: African Games postponed until 2024 following delays and disagreements. 24 February 2023. www.insidethegames.biz.
  3. News: Ghana announce country will host 2023 African Games. 26 October 2018. 19 June 2019.
  4. News: Pavitt. Michael. 12 November 2021. Ghana signs agreement with African Union to host 2023 African Games. InsideTheGames.biz. 26 December 2021.
  5. Web site: Ghana aims to host African Games despite economic crisis – DW – 06/04/2023 . 2024-04-09 . dw.com . en.
  6. Web site: 13th African Games in Ghana: Everything you need to know – DW – 03/08/2024 . 2024-04-09 . dw.com . en.
  7. News: Ghana to bid for 2023 All Africa Games. GhanaWeb. 16 April 2018.
  8. News: Nigeria Battle Ghana, Burkina Faso for 2023 AAG Host. AllAfrica. 21 April 2018.
  9. News: Pavitt. Michael. 26 October 2018. Ghana announce country will host 2023 African Games. InsideTheGames.biz. 26 December 2021.
  10. News: Lloyd. Owen. 24 July 2021. Ghana's plans to build new stadium for 2023 African Games abandoned because of COVID-19. InsideTheGames.biz. 26 December 2021.
  11. News: Pavitt. Michael. 7 March 2022. Proposal made for sports medicine department to be established as part of Accra 2023 legacy. InsideTheGames.biz. 16 March 2022.
  12. Web site: 2021-11-17 . Borteyman Sports Complex to be ready before Africa Games - Ofori-Atta promises . 2022-06-07 . The Ghana Report . en.
  13. Web site: Borteyman Sports Complex inaugurated . Graphic online.
  14. Web site: Akufo-Addo commissions Borteyman Sports Complex . Citi newsroom. 13 February 2024 .
  15. Web site: President Akufo-Addo Commissions Borteyman Sports Facilities; Ghana Ready To Host Historical 13th African Games . Joy Online. 14 February 2024 .
  16. Web site: Ghana hockey stadium set to be upgraded in time for 2023 African Games . 2022-06-07 . www.insidethegames.biz. 6 January 2021.
  17. Web site: Vigah . John . 2022-04-08 . Ghana: Dr Ofosu-Asare - Ghana Will Host Successful Accra 2023 African Games . 2022-06-07 . allAfrica.com . en.
  18. Web site: 2022-05-09 . Achimota Turf Wickets on course for 2023 Africa Games, says GCA . 2022-06-07 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  19. News: 16 December 2021. Check out the mascot and logo for 2023 African Games. GhanaWeb. 26 December 2021.
  20. News: 16 December 2021. Africa Games 2023: Official logo, mascot and website unveiled by Organizing Committee. ModernGhana. 26 December 2021.
  21. News: Burke. Patrick. 3 January 2022. Accra 2023 unveils Eagle mascot and logo in preparation for Ghana's first African Games. InsideTheGames.biz. 16 March 2022.
  22. Web site: 2022-01-03 . Accra 2023 unveils Eagle mascot and logo prior to Ghana's first African Games . 2024-01-09 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  23. Web site: Logo & Mascot . 2024-01-09 . 13th African Games - Accra 2023 . en-GB.
  24. News: Pavitt. Michael. 13 December 2021. Squash added to programme for 2023 African Games in Ghana. InsideTheGames.biz. 26 December 2021.
  25. News: 1 December 2021. Squash to be Included in African Games for First Time in 20 Years. World Squash. 26 December 2021.
  26. News: Cricket to make its African Games Debut in 2023. 22 Feb 2022 . Emerging Cricket . 22 Feb 2022.
  27. News: Cricket to feature in 2023 Africa Games. 22 Feb 2022 . The Guardian . 22 Feb 2022.
  28. News: Iveson. Ali. 25 February 2022. Cricket and arm wrestling included on 2023 African Games programme. InsideTheGames.biz. 25 February 2022.
  29. News: Iveson. Ali. 25 February 2022. Cricket and arm wrestling included on 2023 African Games programme. InsideTheGames.biz. 16 March 2022.
  30. News: Ghana will be ready for 2023 African Games as work begins on new complex. 22 Feb 2022 . Inside the Games . 3 Sep 2021.
  31. Web site: Disciplines . 2022-12-20 . 13th African Games - Accra 2023 . en-GB.
  32. Web site: 2023-08-03 . TCAG & LOC unveil sports codes for 13th African Game . 2023-10-04 . 13th African Games - Accra 2023 . en-GB.
  33. News: Iveson . Ali . 30 April 2022 . FITEQ eyes African Games engagement opportunities after inclusion as demonstration sport . 12 May 2022 . InsideTheGames.biz.
  34. Web site: Schedule & Results . 13th African Games, Accra 2023 . 6 March 2024 . 6 March 2024.
  35. Web site: African Games Medal Count . 2024-04-09 . results.accra2023ag.com.
  36. Web site: African Games Medal Count . 2024-03-20 . results.accra2023ag.com.
  37. Web site: African Games NOC Overview Egypt . 2024-04-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324191410/https://results.accra2023ag.com/wrs/eng/zz/engzz_general-noc-overview-egypt.htm . 24 March 2024 .
  38. News: Dowdeswell. Andrew. 6 January 2022. Parsons offers full IPC commitment to first-ever African Para Games in Ghana in 2023. InsideTheGames.biz. 16 March 2022.
  39. News: Dowdeswell. Andrew. 8 October 2021. Ghana pledges to host first-ever African Paralympic Games in 2023. InsideTheGames.biz. 16 March 2022.
  40. Web site: THEWILL . Jude Obafemi . 2024-03-16 . Nigerian MMA Fighters Honoured After Stellar Performance At African Games . 2024-03-19 . en-US.
  41. Web site: 2024-03-09 . MMA teams and athletes announced for the African Games . 2024-03-19 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  42. Web site: Carnwath . Izzy . 2024-03-13 . Finals Results & Medallists for MMA in the African Games . 2024-03-19 . GAMMA . en-US.