The Golden Arms of Ghana pulled Africa together and stayed at home to collect the most medals won at the 15th African Armwrestling Championship.
At the end of the two-day exciting challenge, which saw 22 countries participating, Ghana came first with the most haul of medals, followed by Benin and South Africa.
Ghana, the host nation, secured an impressive total of 95 medals (comprising 34 gold, 44 silver, and 17 bronze) on day one and added more on the final day with a scintillating display of grit and passion.
The team composed of youth, experienced, and physically challenged pullers like sensational Tahiru, Immigration officer Godwin Sackey, the Lankai sisters, skipper Edward Asamoah, and Police Officer Grace Mintah earned 24 gold, 9 silver, and 20 bronze medals in specific segments of the competition.
The championship, hosted at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, witnessed a commanding performance by the “Golden Arms,” as they topped the medal table early in the two-day event.
The action-packed complex, which was charged with kolomashi and jama by the Ghana Prisons and Immigration bands, was graced by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, the Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah, Deputy Director General at the National Sports Authority Gideon Hammond, Hon. Bettey Krosbi Mensah, National Coordinator of the Recreation and Wellness Agency, National Federations Presidents of Africa, and other dignitaries.
The climax was at the residence of the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who hosted the entire African Armwrestling Federation to a reception where he commended the Federation’s visionary leadership as well as the competitors and winners.
He hailed Ghana’s Golden Arms for producing an amazing and charismatic performance to make history for Ghana.
The Minister, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, said sports disciplines like arm wrestling have created joy and happiness in many homes.
The event held under the theme ‘pulling Africa together’ was attended by 22 countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Madagascar, Kenya, Togo, Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Libya.
Others are Eswatini, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Gabon, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Niger, Zambia, and Burundi.
The championships attracted collaboration, sponsorship, support, and partnership from the World Armwrestling Federation, African Armwrestling Federation, Ministry of Sports & Recreation, Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), National Sports Authority (NSA), National Petroleum Authority (NPA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Bethel Logistics, Verna Water (Twellium Industrial Ltd), Kofikrom Pharmacy Limited, Stanbic Bank, Kofata Motors, Royal Dach Pharmacy, IMAH Hospital, Diclolex, Event Factory, Awards Center, and the Ghana Tourism Authority for their support.
The 15th African Armwrestling Championship cannot be recollected without the mention of Adonko X Energy Drink and Central Hotel for their special marvelous sponsorship package.
Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, who has been elected President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa and Vice President of the world body till 2030, commended the media for their publicity and live streams.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
