Ghana secures qualification for 2012 Paralympics

Accra , Dec 11, GNA – ‘Team Ghana’ sealed a qualification berth towards the upcoming London 2012 Paralympic Games after a sterling performance in this year’s 4th edition of Africa Paracyling Championship held on the Kanda Highway, Accra.

The Championship, which was held from 10th to 11th December, 2011, saw the athletes from South Africa, Burkina Faso, and an Albanian battling for honours in the male and female tandem (blind) race, Hand cycling and Cycling C-Class on the completely blocked busy Kanda Highway.

Ghana secured precious points in the C-2 Class with Alem Mumuni covering a total distance of 51.2km in the road race and 12.8km in the time trial whilst maintaining the Africa Number One spot for the 3rd consecutive time.

Ernest Ayisi from Ghana was crowned Africa’s Number 2 with in-form Abubakari Zakari as Africa Number 3.

In the C-5 category, John Mensah Badu and Thomas Ayine of Ghana became Africa Number 2 and Number 3 respectively after an impressive roll-out of 8 laps.

South Africa’s Francois Bezuidenhoud is Africa’s number one in the male blind cycling after riding a total distance of 76.8km in the road race and 25.6m in the time trial with Ghana’s Peter Dery Davuro and Frederick Assor as Africa’s number two and number three respectively.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has more programs to clear before the Paralympic Games and Ghana needs to be represented in those programmes to augment their slots for next year’s London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Mr Wolanyo Agra, Director General of the National Sports Authority, confirmed government’s support for the success of the team by ensuring that they go through adequate preparations and have the standard equipment ahead of the London Games.

He was full of praise to the Local Organizing Committee for staging a successful international event.

Mr Mohammed Sahnoon, President of the Ghana Cycling Federation said the Association was proud of the exploits of the athletes and was confident that with their sense of endurance they would make Ghana proud at the Olympic Games in London.

He said the Federation would assess the weaknesses and challenges in areas that need improvement to encourage the team put up their best performance to earn more medals for the country.

The Executive Secretary of the National Council on Persons with Disability, Mr Maxwell Vandon said the prime concern of the Council was to ensure that they speak and represent the needs of the disabled who form about 20 percent of the population but are often marginalized and discriminated against and left to fend for themselves,

He said the Council believes in the power of sports and therefore advised the athletes who have various benefits to serve as role models to their colleagues to participate in the ‘can-do spirit’ and earn decent living or themselves and their families.

Mr Didier Simons, UCI Classifier commended the Local Organising Committee for ensuring a successful event and the efforts of the ‘Team Ghana’ can guarantee them a slot to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Medals and trophies were presented to the individual athletes and the participating countries.