A contingent of five para-athletes from Ghana has embarked on a journey to compete in the 2024 Marrakech World Para Athletics (WPA) Grand Prix in Morocco.
This event, scheduled from April 22-28, serves as a crucial stepping stone towards qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Ahiagah, Zinabu, Kuubetegr and Govina target Paris 2024 @Paralympics Games Qualification in 2024 Marrakech WPA Grand Prix
A five-member @ParaAthletics team has left Ghana for Morocco’s 2024 Marrakech World Para Athletics (WPA) Grand Prix competition@FranceandGhana @AusAmbGHA pic.twitter.com/yp1pRTl9kU
— NATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE-GH (@ParalympicGh) April 24, 2024
Among the team members are trailblazers aiming to secure classifications in events such as shot put and standing javelin, marking significant milestones for Ghanaian para-athletics. Notable athletes include 21-year-old Amos Ahiagah, a right-arm amputee, poised to compete in a range of track and field events including the 100m, 200m, 400m, and men’s long jump.
Alongside him is 19-year-old Diana Kuubetegr, also an arm amputee, gearing up for the women’s 800m and 1,500m races.
The seasoned Zinabu Issah will represent Ghana in the women’s sitting shot put, discus throw, and javelin events, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Chairman of the Ghana Para Athletics Association, Mr Foster Kwarteng, has issued a call for corporate sponsorship to bolster the efforts of the Samson Deen-led Ghana Paralympic Committee.
They aim to facilitate participation in the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games qualification events in Japan, Switzerland, and France.
Under the leadership of Mr Samson Deen, President of both the Ghana Paralympic Committee and the African Paralympic Committee, support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority has been instrumental in advancing para-sports in Ghana as outlined in their strategic plan spanning 2020-2027.