By Alpha Barrie
Former Olympic and World champion sprinter Asafa Powell has commended the President of African Paralympic Committee (AfPC), Samson Deen, for making the Paralympic Sport a focus on the African continent by giving athletes and the movement the stage to participate in the first-ever African Para Games.
The Jamaican legend, who was part of Jamaica’s 4×100 metres relay team that won Rio 2016 gold, has pledged his support for Ghana’s planned hosting of the African Para Games, scheduled to take place from September 3 to 12 in the country’s capital city Accra, the first-ever multi-sport para games, from 3 to 12 September 2023, with seven sports Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Volleyball, GoalBall, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball and Amputee Football.
He praised his efforts in making Paralympic sport a focus on the continent by giving athletes the chance to compete at the event.
According to reports, Deen told Powell that he is eager to work with him to promote the #WalkInMyShoe project which is a digital campaign aimed at bridging the gap between people with disabilities and those without.
‘The government has been committed to offering the necessary support and logistics that will make hosting of the African Paralympic Games in 2023 possible. We will work to ensure smooth and successful Games and give participants a memorable experience,’ President Deen noted.
President of Ghana’s National Olympic Committee Ben Nunoo Mensah was also present at the meeting which focused on developing Parasport promotion in Africa.
Powell was also in the triumphant relay quartets at the Berlin 2009 and Beijing 2015 World Championships.
The 40-year-old also picked up individual and relay titles in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games 100m events.
The host nation has budgeted $8.5 million (£7 million/€7.9 million) to stage the event, with the funding coming from media rights, sponsorship, and the government.