The National Unity Games

Saul Sebag-Montefiore

The Central Regional sports development Director,  Wilson, remains defiant despite being struck by a series of injury blows in the run up to this year’s Unity Games.

Boxing practice for Unity Games

The Unity Games is a tournament that is annually organized by the sports authorities in Ghana to unearth sporting talent. The recruited sportsman could potentially be included in prestigious international competitions, such as, the Olympic Games or the All African Games. A wide variety of sports and disciplines are competed, including: Athletics, Tennis, Boxing, Basketball, Handball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Rugby, Badminton, Football, Hockey, Taekwondo, Chess, and even Scrabble.

Mr. Wilson expressed his disappointment at the less than perfect preparations for the tournament, ‘its not the best. There are so many more shortcomings to what we expected [to have going into the tournament]. I am having a problem getting funds. Also quite a number of sportsmen are still at school writing their exams and therefore cannot be part of the team. So we will be without all of those first choice athletes. We will be handicapped with our team but all the same we will do with what we have and make a good impression.’

It is not just school exams that have damaged the Central Region’s team this year as injuries have also struck Central Region’s team hard. Mr. Wilson stated, ‘We had a few injuries here and there: the best sprinter in the region and one of the best sprinters in Ghana has been knocked down by injury. One of the top boxers is down with Malaria. Other than that we’ve had a few knocks here and there but we will pull it together and be in shape by the time the games begin.’

Despite the disappointments Mr. Wilson remains resolute and determined that the Central Region will still be successful. He defiantly declared, ‘for the region, we have always been strong in certain competitions and with what we have we are still going to make an impact. I had wanted an overwhelming victorious squad. But we are going to battle.’

Mr. Wilson went onto thank those of who have supported his team. ‘The Anglican Church has supported us greatly. A friend of the name of Alfred Kofie has helped somehow – he is the chairman of the Regional Tennis Association so the team is having a special training period with one of the top coaches in Ghanaian tennis. So it is likely that we will get two good medals from tennis.’

There is much to be positive about despite the number of heavy blows that have been dealt to the team. It is only Mr. Wilson’s exceedingly high standards that have left him frustrated and the fighting spirit still burns strong as Central Region is expected to make an impact in the competition.  The best of luck to Mr. Wilson and the Central Region Unity Games squad.