The triangle of Labour (Sports personalities), Capital and Government has been recited on numerous occasions.
Definitely, if it were a song, it would be now a timeless hit that engulfs all territories.
This same triangle has been brought back into discussion by Herbert Mensah, the president of Rugby Afrique.
Addressing the media during a press briefing at the University of Ghana stadium on Thursday at the 13th African Games Ghana, Mensah commended the respective African Governments for the investments undertaken to develop sport in general.
“There is a marriage between Labour, Capital and Government. This marriage should blossom for sports to develop. This is a triangle that needs to complete” Mensah stated.
“I commend the different Governments for the various countries that have invested in sports. We have to invest off the field in order to be able to win on the field of play” he added.
Infrastructure:
Mensah hinted about the purpose of infrastructure in as far as sports development is concerned.
To begin with, he lauded Ghana for the sports infrastructure in place for the 13th African Games where 54 African countries competed in 29 disciplines across more than 9 venues.
He made a loud call for maintenance of such facilities for sports sustainability in the country.
“The African Games are the beginning for the future of sports in Ghana. Africa should be proud to see what Ghana has put up. We need to maintain such facilities in place. Ghana should also be considered for future sports tournaments.” Mensah spoke.
He politely tasked Ghanaians to spread the message of hope and positivity arising from hosting such games.
Mensah hinted on more funding from governments, international sports bodies, grassroot sports development programs as schools programs and the right nutrition of players.
“The growth engine of sports in Africa has been with the schools program in the African schools’ curriculum. This is where sportsmen are born and developed” Mensah added.
In rugby, he cited countries as Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and others that have followed the right channels for development.
At the 13th African Games, Uganda has so far won 15 medals by Thursday, 21st March 2024.
Of these are 4 gold medals, 5 silver and 6 bronze. There is a prospect of extending the medal tally by the time the games will end on Saturday, 23rd March 2024.
Uganda’s Medal Tally by Thursday, 21st March 2024:
Swimming :
1 Bronze
Gloria Muzito
Women’s 100m freestyle
Weightlifting :
55Kg Category
1 Silver (Total)
1 Silver (Clean & Jerk)
1 Bronze (Snatch)
All from Davis Niyoita
Badminton
1 Gold
Women’s doubles
Husinah Kobugabe & Gladys Mbabazi
1 Silver
Women’s singles
Husinah Kobugabe
1 Bronze
Women’s Singles
Fadillah Shamika
Cycling
1 Gold
Individual Time Trial
Charles Kagimu
Athletics
1 Silver
Halima Nakaayi (800m)
1.SILVER
Peruth Chemutai (3000m Steeplechase)
1 Bronze
Joyce Lalam (Javelin throw)
BOXING
1.Bronze
Innocent Tumusiime (Minimum Weight)
1.Bronze
Murungi Kassim
(Featherweight)
RUGBY SEVENS MEN
1 Gold
RUGBY SEVENS WOMEN
1 Gold
Overall Total 15 medals (4 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze )
