Ghana's first-ever Orphanage Olympic Games to be launched by Integriti

January 25, 2011
Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - The first-ever Ghana Orphanage Olympic Games festival will be organised in Accra in May this year.

The Games which have been christened the 'Accra Orphanage Olympics' is expected to bring together many Orphanages in the country to participate in sporting events as well as music, cultural displays and talent exhibitions.

Integriti Media, which is an avant-garde media organisation registered in Ghana, will in collaboration with stakeholders such as government ministries and agencies, corporate Ghana, international aid agencies and participating orphanages ensure the success of the games.

The participating orphanages would engage in match-past, football, handball, volleyball, tract events, basketball as well as indoor games such as ampe, ludo, chess, scrabble and snake and ladders.

Mr Kojo Olabode-Williams, Lead Project Manager in charge of Accra Orphanage Olympics in a statement released by Integriti to GNA Sports in Accra said there would be exhibitions of artefacts and products developed by some of the orphanages.

"This time around, we want to change the status quo and encourage corporate bodies to go a little further by helping discover young talents from participating orphanages in various sporting disciplines.

Mr Olabode-Williams it will also present them with the opportunity to participate in healthy sporting events with their colleagues from other orphanages.

The event also presents Corporate Ghana, an opportunity to uplift the level of their supports for orphanages from mere donations to providing long-lasting impact by helping discover talents and promoting health and socialization among orphanages."

The Project Manager said the event will also serve as a major avenue for them to discharge and implement their Corporate Social Responsibility to the benefits of all participating orphanages.'

Ms Mama Owusu, an Education Advisor with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, said 'The event is a true attempt by all participating stakeholders to impact and trigger huge positive difference in the lives of children in our orphanages and homes. This event hopes to become an annual feature on the Ghanaian calendar'.

The Organising Committee of the event comprises veteran event planners, media practitioners, project managers, sports activists, international volunteers and social workers.

The event will build on its successes and maximise its impact on a yearly basis and with time, would export the impact to other parts of Africa.

Mr Leonard Smith, Coordinator for the participating international volunteers, lauded the initiative and pledged his group's commitment to the success of the event.

He encouraged corporate institutions to open up their philanthropic hearts and commit to the success of the event as part of the corporate social responsibility to children, who represent the future of Ghana.

Mr Smith also encouraged orphanages to see the event as a unique opportunity to socialize, exhibit talents and promote healthy living through sports amongst member institutions.

GNA