Athletes that represented Ghana at the second edition of the ANOCA Zone III Games in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, were last Tuesday hosted by the Board of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), led by its president, Mr Richard Akpokavie, at the GOC headquarters in Accra.

Ghana was represented by 43 athletes across four disciplines, and remarkably, every athlete returned home with a medal.

The volleyball team (Men) emerged gold medallists; the Karate-Do team earned two silver medals and two bronze medals, Taekwondo won three bronze medals, while handball (Men and Women) won silver medals each.

The 10-day competition featured teams from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Niger, Liberia, and host Burkina Faso.

Led by Chef de Mission, Nii Lante Bannerman, and Team Manager, Nana Adu Mintah, the delegation presented their medals and trophies to the GOC leadership.

Congratulating them, Mr Akpokavie applauded the athletes’ commitment and patriotism, saying, “We are extremely proud of your performance. You represented Ghana with dedication and discipline, and these medals are a clear testament to your hard work.

At the GOC, the welfare and development of athletes remain a top priority, and we are committed to supporting your growth. Continue striving, both at club and national level. Your hard work will continue to open doors.”

The GOC Treasurer, Mr Evans Yeboah, also encouraged the athletes to balance sports with life beyond competition, saying, “While you pursue excellence in sports, remember to invest in your future. If you are a student, take your education seriously. If you are working or running a business, remain committed. When your active sporting career ends, you should have something solid to fall back on.”

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, a representative expressed gratitude to the GOC leadership and coaches, saying, “We are grateful for the opportunity to represent Ghana. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our journey. We’ll continue to work hard to make the country proud.”