<<Print>>

With less than a year to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the Ghana Olympic Committee has held a meeting with National Federation Presidents to plan towards the Games.

The meeting at the GOC’s Office at Ridge, Accra served two main purposes- to focus on preparation and qualification towards the Olympics.

The meeting was also intended to gather all relevant information pertaining to the Rio Olympics in order for the GOC to subsequently brief the Ministry of Youth and Sports because of budget considerations for the Games.

Addressing the meeting, Ghana’s Rio 2016 Chef de Mission, Chris Essilfie, who attended the ‘Rio 2016 Chefs de Mission Seminar,' in Rio from 17-21 August, gave a detailed briefing to the Federation Presidents.

Among other things, he gave a presentation on Accommodation, Accreditation, Arrivals & Departures, Doping Control & Medical Services, Sport Entries, Ticketing and Transport.

Mr. Essilfie tasked the Federation Presidents to present a probables list of eligible candidates for the Olympics and also fill a specially designed Games Qualification Template to aid preparations towards the Olympic qualifiers.

The Games Qualification Template details competitions, ranking, location, number of people and the required budget for the qualifiers.

National Federations are to present the two documents to the Chef de Mission by 28th October.

“The ‘Games Qualification Template’ form is to help us have a master plan and timelines on when to expect qualifications from all Federations. It’s also to help us track the progress we’re making in terms of qualifying athletes to Rio,” Chris Essilfie told www.ghanaolympic.org

“It will help us know what is required or needed to aid our preparations for the Games.

“The data on the probables list of athletes is needed because there will be strict guidelines in terms of capturing data. It is better to collate the data now to be able to monitor athlete performances across the world,” he summed up.

Team Ghana participated in the London 2012 Olympic Games and last won a medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

The Ghana Olympic Committee is expected to lead a team to the XXXI Olympiad to be held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro from 5th August - 21st August.