The first contingent of Team Ghana who are going to represent Ghana at the Tokyo2020 Olympic Games have arrived safely in Inawashiro.
The 14 man team led by Chef de Mission, Mr. Michael Aggrey (President of Ghana Golf Association) were met on arrival by His Excellency, Frank Okyere Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan.
He was with the team for about four hours as they went through immigration and customs processes as well as coronavirus tests.
Luckily all the Ghanaians tested negative, but they have to under go daily tests.
HE. Frank Okyere congratulated the athletes, coaches and officials leading the team and advised them to be worthy envoys.
He urged them to obey all the protocols and do well in their various disciplines and make Ghana proud.
Mr. Michael Aggrey expressed that after meeting the President of the Republic before moving to Japan, they are assured and determined to make history.
Team Ghana flew from Accra to Amsterdam, then to Narita in Tokyo, before taking a bus to Inawashiro where they will have their final camping and preparations for the biggest sports festival in the world.
In Inawashiro, they were given a rousing welcome by the Mayor of the town, Hiroshi Zenga and some personalities waving Japan and Ghana flags.
Ghana will exclusively train in the facilities at the Inawashiro Town General Gymnasium for free in the run up to Tokyo 2020.
The facilities include ten badminton courts, two basketball courts, three volleyball courts, fifty table tennis tables, two judo areas, a boxing ring, an athletics oval and other facilities for swimming, weight lifting and other disciplines.
An interpreter, transportation bus, medical facilities and free accommodation for at least 30 athletes will also be provided.
There have been cultural exchanges between Ghana and Inawashiro Town, in the centre of Fukushima prefecture.
The athletes making the first batch include Abeiku Jackson (Swimming), Unilez Yebowaah Takyi (Swimming), Suleiman Tetteh (Boxing), Samuel Takyi (Boxing), Shakul Samed (Boxing) and Christian Amoah (Weightlifting).
They were accompanied by their coaches, Covid-19 Officer, President of the Ghana Swimming Association, Team Manager, Doctor and Press Attache.
The remaining athletes most of them doing the Track & Field will camp in the USA before moving to Tokyo.
Ghana qualified in five disciplines namely; boxing, track & field, judo, swimming and weightlifting.
The team left Ghana on Wednesday June 30 and arrived on July 1, 2021.
By Sammy Heywood Okine / Inawashiro