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]

XIII African Games
Host cityAccra
Nations53
Athletes2,644
Events335
Opening8 March 2024 (2024-03-08)
Closing23 March 2024 (2024-03-23)
Opened byNana Akufo-Addo (President of Ghana)
Closed byMustapha Ussif
Minister for Youth and Sports of Ghana
Torch lighterBenjamin Azamati
Main venueLegon Sports Stadium
WebsiteAccra2023ag.com

Bids

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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

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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]

Venue Events Capacity Status
Accra Sports Stadium   Football (details) 40,000 Existing
Borteyman Sports Complex[12][13][14][15]   Swimming (details) 500 Commissioned
  Handball (details)
  Wrestling (details)
500
  Badminton (details)
  Volleyball (details)
1,000
  Tennis (details) 1,000
Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium[16]   Field hockey (details) Existing
Achimota Oval[17][18]   Cricket (details) Existing
University of Ghana Sports Facilities[17]   Athletics (details)
  Rugby sevens (details)
  Weightlifting (details)
Renovation
Ga-Mashiae Hall   Judo (details)
  Karate (details)
  Taekwondo (details)
Existing
Bukom Boxing Arena   Boxing (details) 4000 Existing

Marketing

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

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

Participating nations

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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.

Participating National Olympic Committees

Sports

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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

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

 OC  Opening ceremony  ●  Event competitions  1  Gold medal events  CC  Closing ceremony
March 4th
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 OC CC
  Arm wrestling 14 14 28
  Athletics 3 12 11 7 14 47
  Badminton 5 5
  3x3 basketball 4 4
  Beach volleyball 2 2
  Boxing 25 25
  Chess 1 2 3 6
  Cricket 1 1 2
  Cycling 2 2 4 2 4 1 15
  Field hockey 2 2
  Football 1 1 2
  Handball 2 2
  Judo 5 4 5 1 15
  Karate 8 6 2 16
  Rugby sevens 2 2
  Swimming 7 9 10 8 8 42
  Table tennis 2 2 1 2 7
  Taekwondo 4 4 4 4 1 8 25
  Tennis 4 2 6
  Triathlon 2 2
  Volleyball 2 2
  Weightlifting 12 12 12 12 12 60
  Wrestling 6 6 6 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
March 4th
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

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Source:[35][36][37]

  *   Host nation (Ghana)

RankNOCGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1  Egypt1034743193
2  Nigeria473440121
3  South Africa323242106
4  Algeria293848115
5  Tunisia22273887
6  Ghana*19292169
7  Morocco9121435
8  Ethiopia98522
9  Mauritius951125
10  Kenya882137
11  Eritrea72615
12  Senegal471829
13  Uganda461020
14  Zambia45514
15  Madagascar44715
16  Niger41611
17  Cameroon3131430
18  Zimbabwe34411
19  Benin3104
20  Democratic Republic of the Congo27918
21  Angola2158
  Mali2158
23  The Gambia2002
24  Libya111113
25  Namibia14510
26  Burkina Faso12710
27  Guinea1113
28  South Sudan1001
29  Ivory Coast09918
30  Mozambique0516
31  Botswana031013
32  Liberia0224
33  Central African Republic0134
  Gabon0134
  Togo0134
36  Equatorial Guinea0101
  Somalia0101
38  Republic of the Congo0055
39  Tanzania0033
40  Chad0011
  Djibouti0011
  Guinea-Bissau0011
  Lesotho0011
  Rwanda0011
Totals (44 entries)3363344301,100

2023 African Para Games

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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

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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

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References

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