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07.12.2008 Sports News

Badminton: Ghana Wins Gold, Silver In Egypt

07.12.2008 LISTEN
By Daily Graphic

Ghana's badminton team won two medals at the just-ended badminton championship in Egypt.

The tournament which was devided into two events – individual and team events – saw Daniel Sam winning gold in the boys singles and Victor Sakyi and Daniel Sam win silver in the boys double against Nigeria.

Defending champions, Nigeria, won the team event followed by South Africa, host, Egypt and Uganda.

Though Ghana could not take part in the team event because she did not have the set   of players needed for the event, both players and officials were excited about their  performance in the individual event.

An elated Ignatius Ellertey, Secretary General of the Badminton Association of Ghana, told the Dailly Graphic in an interview that it was the first time Ghana had won a medal at the tournament since the inception. 

'It is a great achievement and we hope to build on it next year', he said.

According to him, Ghana was described as the ''sleeping giant'' of the tournament, meaning the Ghanaian players put up an impressive performance but need little help to make it to the top.

He, therefore, called on philanthropists and corporate organisations to assist the association to help develop the game in the country.

Mr Ellertey expressed appreciation to the National Sports Council (NSC), especially Mr Prince Oduro Mensah, the CEO of the council, for his contribution towards the game. Story by Beatrice Laryea

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