African Games
NIGERIA’S YUSUF ALI BLASTS: AFRICAN GAMES HAVE LOST “GLAMOUR”
BY DAN PALMER
Nigeria’s former long jumper Yusuf Ali has claimed that the African Games are “no longer glamorous” as this year’s edition continues in Morocco.
The 59-year-old won the Commonwealth Games title in Auckland in 1990 and boasts two African Games silver medals.
He has represented his country at eight editions of the continental event in all, as an athlete, team manager and coach, but believes the multi-sport gathering now suffers from a lack of promotion and prestige.
“In Nigeria we have lost the hype around the African Games,” he said to Premium Times.
“In those days [when Alli competed] when you walked around the streets of the country, especially Lagos, you would know Nigeria is going for the African Games.
“But this year, honestly people are even asking questions – ‘when is African Games, have they started?’ – when the Games is already ongoing.
“I think this year, everything is down, perhaps because of the economic downturn across the world including in Nigeria.
“For me the African Games is no longer glamorous as it used to be, even the athletes, the Games is no longer showbiz as it used to be.
“In those days, weeks, months before the African Games, athletes already have their wares, your tracksuits and all your kits are ready.
“But now, I doubt it, I don’t even know the colours they would be wearing.”
Morocco is hosting this year’s Games at short notice with most events in capital Rabat.
They agreed to step in when Equatorial Guinea pulled out over financial problems last year.
The Opening Ceremony was on August 19 and the Games will run until August 31.
Twenty-six sports are on the programme with 54 countries and 6,500 athletes competing.
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Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who superintended the 13th African Games held in Accra Ghana in February has died.
He was the Chief Operating Officer of the Accra 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC).
According to sources in Ghana, Dr. Owusu-Ansah was a sports administrator and coach, and thus left behind, a significant legacy in the world of sports.
Dr Owusu-Ansah, a former Chief Executive of the National Sports Authority (NSA), was widely regarded as an encyclopaedia of sports knowledge.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Owusu-Ansah, a former national chief athletics coach, authored the best-selling book “Principles of Abundant Living.”
He played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Sports Studies at the College of Education at the University of Ghana. Additionally, he served as the Director of the Sports Directorate at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The Africa Students Football Union (ASFU) has expressed condolences over the passing of a patron of the union, Dr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who served as the COO of the just concluded 13th Africa Games held in Ghana.
Dr. Owusu-Ansah’s death was announced on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
According to a release by the executive secretary of the union, Femi Abioye, Owusu-Ansah until his death contributed immensely to sports development on the continent and the world at large.
He left an indelible impact on the lives of students-athletes coupled with sports administration across Africa countries.
The ASFU’s President, Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, who was shocked at the news of the demise of Dr. Owusu-Ansah described the deceased as a pillar, saying his departure has left a great vacuum in sports management.
He relished the deceased contribution and unwavering dedication to ASFU, saying the Union would miss the deceased.
“We will miss Dr. Owusu-Ansah, whose contribution to sports, knew no bounds. He was always ready to serve. He helped build the Union and was pivotal to the Union programmes. We will surely miss him,” he said.
He extended the Union condolences to all those affected by this loss, praying God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
African Games
A milestone as Egypt becomes the first country to get 100 gold medals in African Games
As the curtain is drawn on the 13th African Games in Egypt, the traditional overall winners, have this time hit a milestone.
They have become the first to hit a 100 gold medal mark in the 59 year history of the games.
As at Saturday morning, they have amassed 101 gold medals, 54 more than that of the second placed Nigeria
The biggest star of the Egyptian team is swimmer Marwan Elkamash, who won five gold medals in the men’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 4x200m relays, all in freestyle.
But medal haul is still short that that of his compatriot, Faten Afifi who fished out seven gold medals from the pool.
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