The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 15th Africa Armwrestling Championship has officially moved into high gear, conducting a high-stakes technical inspection of the
Borteyman Sports Complex.
Led by the President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA), Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, the team is evaluating whether the state-of-the-art facility—originally built for the 13th African Games—will serve as the battleground for the continent's "fiercest armwrestling spectacle," scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 3, 2026.
1. Technical Readiness and the "Spectator Experience"
The inspection team, which included experts from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the National Sports Authority, moved beyond a simple tour to conduct a deep dive into the facility’s logistics.
Key Assessment Areas:
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The Competition Arena: Evaluating lighting, flooring, and technical requirements for the armwrestling tables.
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Athlete Warm-Up Zones: Ensuring adequate space for competitors to maintain muscle readiness between bouts.
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Refereeing Standards: The team was joined by Ms. Abigail Fremah, the 2025 African Best Referee, to ensure the layout meets international officiating standards.
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Spectator Flow: Assessing seating capacity and access points to maximize the fan experience.
2. The "Accommodation" Hurdle
While the Borteyman Sports Complex itself received high marks for its "impressive" infrastructure, Mr. Osei Asibey identified one significant roadblock that the committee must now tackle.
"Securing adequate accommodation remains the committee’s biggest challenge. We intend to thoroughly evaluate this in our next meetings to ensure our visiting athletes have a world-class stay." — Charles Osei Asibey, AFA President
The LOC is expected to look at nearby university hostels and hotels in the East Legon and Tema enclaves to bridge the housing gap for the hundreds of athletes expected from across Africa.
3. Meet the Inspection Leadership
The high-powered delegation included:
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Mr. Charles Osei Asibey (AFA President)
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Dr. Kofi Addo-Agyekum (VP, Ghana Armwrestling Federation)
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Madam Jessica Kwarteng (Ministry of Sports and Recreation)
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Mr. Gideon Hammond (National Sports Authority)
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Mr. Kenneth Odeng Adade (Media & Communications)
4. Countdown to April 29
With just over two months until the opening pull, the pressure is on the LOC to finalize the venue selection. Armwrestling has seen a massive surge in popularity in Ghana, following the "Reset" in sports funding and the national team’s dominant performance in recent years.
The Bottom Line
Borteyman is currently the frontrunner to host the 2026 Championship. Its status as a legacy facility makes it the ideal stage for the 15th edition, provided the LOC can solve the logistical puzzle of housing Africa’s strongest pullers.
