Justify nation’s investment — GOC prez charges athletes
The president of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, has charged the 12 athletes who will represent the nation at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas to repay the nation's investment in their careers by winning laurels for the country.
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Mr Nunoo Mensah, in a welcome statement to members of Team Ghana who depart Ghana for Bahamas tomorrow, urged them to be worthy representatives of Ghana and work tirelessly to win laurels for Mother Ghana.
"It took significant sacrifice from the good people of Ghana to make this trip possible," the GOC boss said in reference to the $50,000 the GOC contributed towards the trip.
"This investment in you and in your future is made in the hope that you have greatness in you and are committed to working tirelessly to win medals for Mother Ghana".
He said the team represented a bright future for Ghana Sports and must perform at the highest level to bring joy to the hearts of the 25 million countrymen and countrywomen.
"Leave indelible impressions on the minds of the people of Bahamas. Etch yourselves in the memories of the millions who would be watching you perform. Be remembered for all the right and positive reasons.
"You leave as athletes. Come back as champions. Never forget that how well you do would create a lot of opportunities for yourselves, your fellow athletes who are not at the Bahamas and Ghana Sports. Give Ghana reason to support you".
Team Ghana will be represented by 12 athletes aged between 14-18 per the rules of the Commonwealth Games Youth Games in eight disciplines.
The athletes are swimmers Abeiku Jackson and Kaya Adwoa Forson, tennis players Emmanuel Nyan Plange and Marian Ibrahim, 400-metre runner, Rafiatu Nuhu, beach volleyball players, Kelvin Katey Carboo and Eric Tsatsu, cyclists Solomon Tagoe and Gabriel Tettey, boxers Alfred Kotey and Philip Quartey, as well as judoka Emmanuel Kemevor.
Team Ghana's 23-member contingent, comprising 12 athletes and 11 officials, will be led by Chef de Mission, Mawuko Afadzinu, and Deputy Chef de Mission, Reverend Richmond Quarcoo, at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games slated for the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre in Nassau, Bahamas, from July 19 to 23.
