Standings and results after 3 days of play | 13th African Games Accra 2023

    Standings and results after 3 days of play | 13th African Games Accra 2023 Country/Team Scores Ghana vs Nigeria (M) (1 – 0) Egypt  vs Kenya (M) (3 – 2) Egypt  vs Nigeria (M) (5 – 4) Kenya vs Ghana (M) (1 – 3) Nigeria vs Kenya (M) (2 – 1) Ghana vs Egypt (M) (0 – 1) Ghana vs Kenya  (4 – 1) Nigeria vs Ghana  (0 – 1) Nigeria vs Kenya  (1 – 0)

    13th African Games Accra 2023 | African hockey chief defends safety of Ghana’s pitch

      The President of the African Hockey Federation (AfHF), Seif El Dine Ahmed, has stepped forward to assure the safety of Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium for all participating countries, following the recent withdrawal of South Africa from the 13th African Games amid concerns by South African officials about the safety and readiness of the venue for the competition. Acknowledging the challenges in venue preparation due to delays by the contractor, Mr Ahmed maintained that after meetings, all participating federations had agreed to proceed with the competition. He expressed gratitude to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their dedication to ensuring high-quality hockey in Africa, emphasising the paramount importance of player safety. South Africa’s withdrawal from both the men’s and women’s hockey teams last Monday highlighted concerns over the readiness of Theodosia Okoh Stadium. The South African Olympic governing body, SASOC, cited the unsuitability of the pitches despite repeated assurances of their readiness for international-standard competition. Seif El Dine Ahmed (second from left) addressing the media in the presence of officials of the LOC and Ghana Hockey Federation. While acknowledging international certification rules for qualifying events, Mr Ahmed clarified that the African Games hockey competition did not fall under such qualifications. He pointed out that among the 25 African countries recognised by the Africa Hockey Federation, only South Africa had a certified pitch. However, he expressed optimism that the Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch would attain certification by October, coinciding with the U-21 African Hockey tournament. “We had challenges to finish the turf in time; it was out of our hands at the African Hockey Federation and LOC. I would like to thank the LOC for trying to bring the best of hockey to Africa, and we consider the safety of all players very important,” Mr Ahmed said at the press briefing in Accra yesterday to address South Africa’s concerns. “With our experience, we can decide whether it was dangerous to play on the turf or not, and already six matches have been played on the turf with no major issues, and the players are enjoying the matches,” he said. For his part, the Executive Chairman of the LOC, Dr Kweku Ofosu-Asare, commended the remaining five participating countries in the hockey tournament for putting up a decent performance so far in hockey. “So far, we are progressing and progressing very well in this tournament (African Games). So far, we have had many medals being handed out and we are looking forward to a successful conclusion of the tournament,” he said.   Source: www.graphic.com.gh | March 20, 2024

      African Games 2023: ‘We are here to play; not to find excuses not to play’ – African Hockey Chief

        The African Hockey Federation is unhappy about South Africa’s decision to withdraw their male and female teams from the ongoing African Games, Accra 2023. At a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, Seif Ahmed, President of the African Hockey Federation said “We came to play. Not to find excuses not to play.” South Africa pulled their teams out of the competition, citing safety concerns with the pitch. “I believe hockey in Africa will benefit greatly from this pitch. There are 25 countries playing hockey in Africa. Only one country, South Africa has certified turfs. “Of course, if we take over the turf late we cannot certify it. But, from our experience, we know it is safe to be used.” The continental President intimated that South Africa did not follow due process in deciding to withdraw from the competition. He added that the claim that the pitch was substandard was untenable as the turf had not been laid at the time that the pictures being peddled by the South Africans were taken and also, as the quality of the turf could not be ascertained from the pictures taken. Mr. Seif further stated that the mandatory requirement for certification only arises where a pitch is to be used for Olympic qualifiers. “What we have heard is that the real reason South Africa pulled out of the competition is because they are afraid of injuries, as they are preparing for the Olympic Games. We are here to protect the athletes, but we have no control over injuries.” South Africa’s male and female teams qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after competing on the old turf at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch in Accra in the African Cup of Nations, in 2022. The newly installed surface at the Pitch is of the highest quality and is the same surface to be used at the upcoming Paris Olympics. With the exception of hockey, South Africa is competing in seventeen (17) other disciplines at Accra 2023 with a contingent of three hundred and forty-six (346). With over 5,000 athletes from 54 countries participating, the Games is featuring twenty-nine (29) different sporting disciplines across two cities – Accra and Cape Coast. Source: www.myjoyonline.com | March 19, 2024