Four Right to Dream athletes get set for London 2012 following successful Bedford NPC training camp
London, 23rd August 2012: Four Right to Dream athletes comprising the Ghanaian Paralympic team arrived in London today ahead of London 2012, the biggest Paralympic Games in history, which will feature 4,200 athletes from 160 countries.
London 2012 will be the first time four Ghanaian athletes have represented their country at a Paralympic Games. Their arrival in the capital follows an intensive training schedule that the athletes undertook firstly at the University of Exeter in Devon, and then at the official National Paralympic Committee (NPC) training camp in Bedford.
The NPC training camp involved over 100 athletes from other nations, all priming themselves for the forthcoming Games (29th August – 9th September) that begin in just under a week. Athletes from other nations, including the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Canada, Lesotho and Tunisia, joined the Ghanaian team at the fortnight-long camp.
The four athletes – Charles Narh Teye (powerlifter), Alem Mumuni (para-cyclist), Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo (wheelchair track athlete) and Anita Fordjour (wheelchair track athlete) – took part in gym and sport-specific training including track sessions. In addition, there were competition events for para-cyclist Alem Mumini and wheelchair track athletes Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo and Anita Fordjour. Alem completed two Time Trials with Bedford Cycling Club whilst Raphael and Anita competed in weekend events at Bedford International Athletic Stadium.
Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo, said: “The NPC training camp offered us an excellent opportunity to ensure we were in our best condition when we arrived for the Games in London. I am confident that we have now prepared in the best possible way. In Bedford, we were also fortunate to be able to take part in some weekend competition to get us in the right frame of mind for the Games. I was pleased with how it went, and I was quite glad that I was able to practice on a ‘fast track’ surface. My thoughts now turn to London where I hope to have a successful Paralympics alongside my team mates.”
Alex Main, Right to Dream Paralympic Coach, said: “All four athletes trained in excellent facilities in Bedford, and to take part in competition so close to the Games was invaluable preparation. I would like to pay thanks to the Bedford International Athletic Stadium for providing such an excellent venue for this NPC camp. I have no doubt the high standard of facilities and the help we received along the way will stand the Right to Dream athletes in good stead in London.”
Following the NPC training camp in Bedford, the athletes have now moved to the Athletes’ Village for their final preparations just six days ahead of the Games. Alem Mumuni will be competing in the cycling road race on the 5th and 6th September at Brands Hatch; Charles Narh Teye competes in the powerlifting at the Excel Centre on the 2nd and 3rd September; Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo competes in the 100m at the Olympic Stadium on the 1st and 2nd September; and Anita Fordjour competes in the 100m at the Olympic Stadium on the 1st and 2nd September, followed by the 200m on the 6th September.
Competing at London 2012 is not the end of the mission; the athletes are determined to use the opportunity and platform on the world stage to become role models for society, changing the perception of disability in Ghana and inspiring the next generation of para-sporting talent to become world class athletes and leaders of change. It is the athletes’ ambition that they sow the seeds for the next generation of Ghanaian disabled athletes.
