Seif Ahmed, president of the African Hockey Federation has described Ghana’s hockey turf hosting the event at the 13th edition of the African Games- Accra 2023 as safe to use contrary to claims by South Africa about the safety of the pitch.
He reiterated that “Of course if we take over the turf late we cannot certify it. But, from our experience, we know it is safe to be used.”
At a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Ahmed said that the quality of Ghana’s pitch was equal to many globally and that of the one to host the world at the summer Olympics in Paris.
“I believe hockey in Africa will benefit greatly from this pitch;” he added.
South Africa pulled their male and female teams out of the competition citing concerns with the safety of the turf, a decision arrived at following pictures taken by officials of the team.
The continental President indicated that South Africa did not follow due process in deciding to withdraw from the competition, adding that the claim that the pitch was substandard was untenable as the turf had not been laid at the time that the pictures being peddled by the South Africans were taken.
He said that the quality of the turf could not be ascertained from the pictures.
“What we have heard is that the real reason South Africa pulled out of the competition is because they are afraid of injuries, as they are preparing for the Olympic Games. We are here to protect the athletes, but we have no control over injuries.”
The Theodosia Okoh Hockey turf in Accra, has been refurbished purposely for the African Games which Ghana is hosting for the first time time in the history of the Games.
With over 5,000 athletes from 54 countries participating, the Games is featuring twenty-nine (29) different sporting disciplines across two cities – Accra and Cape Coast.
