Four Right to Dream athletes to round off Games preparations at official NPC training camp
London, 9th August 2012: Four Right to Dream athletes comprising the Ghanaian Paralympic team travelled to Bedford today for their rigorous two-week National Paralympic Committee (NPC) training camp as they bid to make history for their country at London 2012. This year’s Games marks the first time four athletes have competed for Ghana at a Paralympic Games.
For the next 14 days, the four para-sports stars will undergo an intensive training schedule to help prime themselves for the eagerly anticipated London 2012 Paralympic Games (29th August – 9th September).
The four athletes – Charles Narh Teye (powerlifter), Alem Mumuni (para-cyclist), Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo (wheelchair track athlete) and Anita Fordjour (wheelchair track athlete) – have been training at the Right to Dream Academy in Accra, Ghana since June 2011 on a quest to represent their country at what is set to be the most watched Games in history. In June, all four athletes secured their berths at London 2012.
Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo, said: “Since we arrived in England we have taken part in some excellent training at the University of Exeter, as well as some good competition events. Our thoughts now turn to the NPC training camp in Bedford as the countdown to the Games is now well and truly upon us. Having competed for my country in the two previous Paralympic Games, I know how important all the preparation is at this stage. I am confident that we are in good shape as London 2012 draws closer.”
Alex Main, Right to Dream Paralympic Coach, said: “The Paralympic spirit was alive and well in Exeter, and we were offered excellent support by everyone there. The response and support the athletes have received has been incredible – they have been provided with excellent opportunities both in Exeter and Bedford to reach the Games in peak condition. We are now looking to carry the positive spirit within the camp along with us to a successful fortnight’s training in Bedford.”
Following the NPC training camp in Bedford, the athletes will then move to the Athletes’ Village in London five days prior to the beginning of the Games.
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.
