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On the eve of the 13th African Games commencing in Accra on 8th March, Olympic world champion and esteemed Sports Equity™ Lab board member Dr. Edwin Moses will lend his support to a groundbreaking initiative spotlighting some of Africa's premier athletes.
Spearheaded by Sports Equity™ Lab (SEL) with support from the African Union Sports Council, Ghana's Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Swiss sportswear company On, the campaign, titled Victory in Unity, will unveil an awe-inspiring 10-meter tall installation, showcasing six iconic sports personalities hailed as the 'African Giants'.
Those featured in the lineup include luminaries such as Feryal Abdelaziz, the first female Egyptian karateka to win Olympic gold; Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, the first Ghanaian to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics; Noemi Alphonse, the first Mauritian para-athlete to reach a Paralympic Games final; Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a multi-world championship Paralympic Games medalist; Hellen Obiri, the only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country; and Abedi Ayew Pele, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
These figures, renowned for their indomitable spirit and unparalleled achievements, symbolize the triumph of human resilience in the face of adversity, SEL founder Prof Dr Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu says.
'Despite being faced with myriad challenges - limited resources, insufficient funding, and systemic biases - Africa continues to produce a constellation of stellar athletes who defy odds and etch their names in sporting history year over year, and generation over generation,' she points out.
'We're grateful for the opportunity to add value to the Games with this campaign; showcasing our unwavering commitment to driving inclusivity and the transformative power of sport as a catalyst for social good.'
Dr. Edwin Moses, a two-time Olympic gold medalist currently listed in the Guinness Book of Records for winning 122 consecutive 400-meter hurdle races in the 70s-80s, says: 'At Sports Equity™ Lab, we firmly believe in harnessing the power of sport to foster inclusivity and drive positive change. I am honored to be in Ghana to lend support to the Victory in Unity campaign, which endeavors to leverage sport as a vehicle for social progress.'
The African Games, slated to host over 4,000 athletes representing over 50 nations across the continent, will serve as the backdrop for this monumental initiative. Positioned at the entrance of the University of Ghana, the interactive art installation invites attendees to contribute their photographs, symbolizing solidarity with the athletes and becoming integral to their stories.
Director of Sports at the University of Ghana, Dr Bella Bello Bitugu says: 'The incorporation of sports equity into the essence and mission of the Games enhances its spirit and vision, aiming to mobilize, celebrate, and uplift. Through Sports Equity™ Lab we witness a profound celebration of past achievements alongside present endeavors, emphasizing the importance of giving back to society and providing opportunities for youth and future generations.'
Navalayo Osembo, Head of Africa for On adds: 'As one of the African continent's prime sports events featuring 4000 athletes from over 50 African countries competing in 29 different sports, the reach and relevance of the African Games are unparalleled. Being present at this impactful event and helping to further Sports Equity Lab's mission of increasing inclusion and reducing inequities in sports is a vital project for us, especially as On's engagement in Africa is still in its early stages.'
The Victory in Unity installation will be available for the public to interact with between 8-10th March.
Dr. Tuakli-Wosornu, who previously represented Ghana in the women's long jump, concludes: 'Victory in Unity epitomizes African excellence: we are stronger together. Championing athletes of all backgrounds in a single campaign ignites a flame of solidarity and pride as we move towards a more equitable sporting landscape for generations to come.
'We look forward to welcoming visitors and stakeholders to the experience.'
Visit Victory in Unity website
