One The spectacular closing ceremony concludes the African Games in Ghana on Saturday, after 16 eventful days in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast, reports PUNCH Sports Extra.
The events concluded with a parade of the flags of all participating countries, while the music of Nigerian hip-hop star Tiwa Savage played on the sound system to the delight of the crowd.
On the final day of competition, perennial champions Egypt won two more golds to take their gold medal tally to 101 to once again claim the top spot in the continental sports exhibition.
The 13th edition of the African Games, which officially began on March 8, will be remembered for sporting excellence.
Egypt emerged winners of the event with 189 medals (101 gold, 46 silver and 42 bronze) while Nigeria finished second with 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze to claim a total of 120 medals.
South Africa finished third with 106 medals (32 gold, 32 silver and 42 bronze) as Algeria finished fourth in the Ghana event with 114 medals (29 gold, 38 silver and 47 bronze).
Tunisia completed the Top 4 with 87 medals (21 gold, 27 silver and 39 bronze), while Ghana, despite a poor start to the event, finished sixth with 19 gold, 29 silver and 20 bronze medals.
Morocco, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Kenya round out the top 10 in that order.
Of the 54 African countries, 53 were present, with only Cape Verde absent from the 13th edition of the Games.
The Games were originally billed for August 2023, but failure to complete facilities on time and problems with marketing revenue resulted in the event being delayed until March 2024.
However, it did not stop the West African country from hosting an unforgettable championship.
The Games began with an exciting opening ceremony at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, capturing the rich cultural heritage, sporting prowess and diversity of the African continent.
The opening ceremony was a dazzling display of colours, choreography and symbols celebrating Africa’s vast diversity. As the participating nations marched into the stadium, an electric atmosphere of excitement and pride filled the air, embodying the collective values of unity and friendship.
Ghana, the host country, pulled out all the stops to showcase its cultural treasures, with a series of traditional dances, music and artistic performances. Top Ghanaian musicians including live award-winning Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, charismatic award-winning Afrobeat singer-songwriter King Promise, and South African sensation Kamo Mphela, known for her electric Amapiano moves and hits like ‘Dalie’, thrilled the public. , adding to the captivating appeal of the ceremony.