Ghana looks to lifters

Athletics and Weightlifting events are Ghana's greatest medal chances at the Games, with strong hopes pinned on South Africa-based lifter Michael Abotsi.

Abotsi led the team at the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, winning three medals for his nation - two bronze and a silver - and he is looking forward to an improvement at the Games.

Ghana's Athletics team also has strong medal hopes.

Ignisious Gaisah, 22, has enjoyed a dramatic rise up the rankings of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

In February Gaisah moved into second place in the men's Long Jump table - only the second time in the history of the IAAF World Rankings that an athlete from Ghana has ranked so high.

The Games will also see Ghana compete in Boxing and Table Tennis events, and Ghanaian participation in Melbourne goes beyond the sporting arena.

Festival Melbourne2006, Australia's biggest ever free arts and culture festival, includes performances from musical groups The Kusun Ensemble and African Showboyz.

Weightlifting at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games will run at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 16 – 24 March with a different weight category each day.

For more Festival Melbourne2006 information, visit the Festival section on this Website.