Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly( AMA),Hon. Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, has expressed the city's readiness to collaborate with the Arm Wrestling Federation both national and international to construct modern training facilities in Accra to train the youth to become professional arm-wrestlers. 

According to her, the door of the Assembly was widely opened for further engagement towards the development of arm-wrestling and other lesser-known sports in the city. 

The first female Mayor of Accra said this on Friday at the official opening of the 12th edition of the Africa Armwrestling Championship a qualifying event for the 2023 Africa Games and the World Combat Games in Saudi Arabia held at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Hall in Accra.  

She said "Arm-wrestling had the potential to transform the fortunes of participating countries" hence the need to "support the sport and strengthen its structures to attract the youth and more participation  to develop the discipline to the highest level."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, sports continue to play a very key role in national development and social cohesion. That is why Ghana placed so much importance on the competition," she added. 

She used the opportunity to commend Mr. Assen, President of the World Wrestling Federation, and the local organizers for organizing the competition. 

She encouraged and wished athletes of the National Armwrestling team, Golden Arms "all the best in this year's competition" and was hopeful they would improve on their performance this year. 

"I recall that, when Ghana first hosted the Competition in 2018, we won 88 medals to win the overall Championship, which was much improved over our previous participation in 2017 in Lagos, Nigeria where team Ghana won 22 medals and placed 2nd overall team...So I believe strongly that Ghana's performance this year will be much better than 2018, she said.  

Hon. Henry Quartey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, commended efforts by the World Arm Wrestling Federation and Ghana arm wrestling team in building sportsmanship among the youth by unearthing talent and strengthening the country's interests in the sport.

These efforts he said complement the vision of the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo toward the development of sports 

He urged participants to take advantage of the championship to strengthen the bond of friendship, understanding, and mutual respect among all African countries present. 

Mr. Assen Hadjitodorov, President of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF), was impressed with the organization of the event, thanked all sponsors, and wished participants a good and fair competition.”

This year's competition will have over 300 pullers from the continent in participation and is set for June 21-25 at the GNAT Hall in Accra.