President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially commissioned the Borteyman Sports Complex, the principal venue for the 13th All African Games set to be held from March 8 – 23, 2024.
The President noted that this newly-inaugurated sport facility adds to the fleet of sport infrastructures across the country, bolstering the development of the sports industry.
”Our government has show its commitment to sports development by investing significantly in the area of infrastructure. When came into office, there were only three astro-turfs or artificial pitches in the country.”
The inauguration ceremony also marked the initiation of the 25-day countdown to the commencement of the tournament.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of ensuring top-notch hospitality for the anticipated 8,000 visitors, including athletes, officials, journalists, and fans, throughout the duration of the event.
The Borteyman Sports Complex is set to host seven competitive sports, including table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon. Notably, four of these events—table tennis, tennis, triathlon, and badminton—will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Key features of the Borteyman facilities include a 1,000-seater capacity swimming pool equipped with a 10-lane competition swimming pool and an eight-lane warm-up swimming pool. Additionally, there’s a multi-purpose sports hall capable of accommodating 1,000 spectators for various events such as basketball, badminton, netball, table tennis, and weightlifting.
Moreover, the complex boasts a temporary dome with a seating capacity of 500 for handball, volleyball, judo, karate, taekwondo, fencing, and arm wrestling. Furthermore, there’s a five-tennis court complex, featuring a 1,000-seater Center Court.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the government’s approach, which blends the utilization of existing facilities with the completion of ongoing projects like the University of Ghana Stadium and the Borteyman Complex to ensure timely readiness for the Games.
Despite initial doubts regarding Ghana’s capacity to host such a prestigious event, the President expressed pride in the Borteyman Complex, deeming it a lasting legacy for future generations and a testament to the nation’s preparedness to host the continental event.
The completion of these facilities underscores the government’s commitment to sports development, with ongoing renovations of stadiums in Accra, Cape Coast, and Kumasi, as well as the construction of regional stadia, six of which have already been completed.
Additionally, plans for the completion of another 100 astroturfs nationwide this year, in addition to the 150 already constructed during the president’s tenure, were disclosed by President Akufo-Addo.
https://abcnewsgh.com/government-to-construct-100-new-artificial-pitches-in-2024-akufo-addo/
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, lauded the consultant and contractor of the Borteyman facility for their prompt completion. He envisioned the Borteyman Complex as a hub for sporting excellence, serving as a legacy for future generations, and emphasized the importance of its sustained maintenance to ensure its continued benefit for years to come.
“The African Games will foster unity among Africans and celebrate the beauty of our diverse culture,” he remarked.
