The achievement was a campaign promise of Africa Armwrestling Federation President, Charles Osei Asibey, who is in Antalya for the World Armwrestling Federation Congress and the 2022 World Armwrestling Championship
Charles Osei Asibey is the President of the Africa Armwrestling Federation
The World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) Congress in Antalya, Turkey, has confirmed an African country will host the 2024 World Armwrestling Championship, Ghana Sports Publications can confirm.
The outstanding feat, which was a campaign promise of Africa Armwrestling Federation President Charles Osei Asibey, ensures that the championship returns to Africa for the first time since South Africa hosted 26th edition in Durban in 2004.
Central European nation Hungary had been earmarked to host the 45th edition. However, Africa Armwrestling President Charles Osei who is also serving on the Council of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) made a strong case for the edition to be move to Africa.
After a detailed presentation by President Osei Asibey, which was pregnant with facts and ideas, the council accepted to move the 2024 edition to Africa.
Ghana will battle Egypt to host the championship.
A delegation from the World Armwrestling Federation will visit Ghana and Egypt to inspect the facilities available to host the championship.
“This is a piece of welcoming news for Africa. It was our campaign promise. We believe that if Africa hosts the edition, it would bridge the gap between Africa and the rest of the world in Armwrestling. When Africa hosts it, it would encourage participation on the African continent. It would improve equipment and infrastructure,” Charles Osei Asibey told Ghana Sports Publications.
“This was high on the agenda for me personally. I am very happy that the World Federation listened to me and agreed to bring the championship to Africa. So whether it would be Ghana or Egypt that would host the championship, the most important thing is that it would positively affect Africa.
“This is not Ghana Armwrestling, not Africa Armwrestling but World Armwrestling Championship. It is global and huge. Ghana must take advantage of this big event because 1,500 athletes, supporters, officials, and others will travel for the championship. So it is a big avenue for people to benefit from the event.
The transport industry, tourism, the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, hotels, and the hospitality industry. There are a lot of benefits to this event,” he added.
