Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati is set to host the third edition of the Ghana Junior Olympics, an event aimed at discovering and nurturing young athletic talent.
The competition is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the University of Ghana Stadium.
In an interview with TV3, Azamati revealed that his inspiration for the initiative stemmed from his struggles as a young athlete.
He underscored the importance of providing better opportunities for talented Ghanaian youth to ensure they avoid the challenges he faced early in his career.
This idea came about when I went to the US and saw how kids are introduced to athletics at a young age.
By 18, many are already in the limelight.
So, we thought it wise to replicate that in Ghana, and that’s how the Ghana Junior Olympics event was born,” Azamati explained.
Azamati disclosed that he is currently funding the event with assistance from his coach, fellow athletes in the US, and a few individuals.
He also appealed to corporate organizations in Ghana to support the initiative.
For now, everything is from me, my coach, and some individuals.
Athletes in the US are also contributing.
This year, we’re expecting about 2,000 participants.
We’re focusing more on kids, and even toddlers will have the chance to race,” he said.
Azamati first gained international recognition at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, where he won gold in the 100 meters with an impressive time of 9.97 seconds.
Through the Ghana Junior Olympics, Azamati aims to inspire young athletes in Ghana and across Africa to pursue their dreams and unlock their full potential.
Ghana’s national 100m record holder, Benjamin Azamati, competed at the 2024 Olympic Games after qualifying through the official athletics world rankings.
Azamati secured his spot in Paris after finishing 39th in the global 100m rankings.
It marked his second consecutive Olympic appearance, where he represented Ghana in both the individual 100m event and as part of the 4x100m relay team.
