KEY POINTS
- Africa Youth Weightlifting Championship opens with 200 athletes in Accra.
- Ghana urged to aim for hosting a future World Championship.
- Event strengthens Ghana’s growing reputation in international sports.
The 2025 Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship opened in Accra on Monday, showcasing some of the continent’s brightest young lifters.
The five-day competition runs from August 18 to 22 at Ga Mashie Hall, inside the Trust Sports Emporium in central Accra.
Ghana hopes the venue will gain recognition as a rising hub for international sports and a stage for world-class competition.
Africa Youth Weightlifting Championship draws global attention
More than 200 athletes and officials from 13 African nations, including Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana, are competing.
Organizers say the championship provides not only a test for athletes but also strengthens collaboration within Africa’s growing weightlifting community.
“Ghana is deeply committed to ensuring a memorable and successful championship,” said Jerry Ahmed Shaibu, president of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation, during his welcome address. “To our young athletes—this is your time. Compete with courage, fairness, and passion.”
Africa Youth Weightlifting Championship inspires bigger ambitions
Khaled Mehalhel, president of the Weightlifting Federation of Africa, praised Ghana for delivering a well-organized opening ceremony and urged the country to look beyond continental tournaments. “Ghana has proven it has the capacity to organize events of international standards,” he said. “I strongly encourage Ghana to position itself to host the World Championship in the near future.”
According to MyJoyOnline, the opening drew dignitaries including former Ghana Olympic Committee President Ben Nunoo Mensah, current GOC President Richard Akpokavie, Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority Veronica Commey, and traditional leaders from the Ga State.
