International events like the Commonwealth Games can foster stronger relationships between nations, according to Chikodi Onyemerela.
All eyes are on the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the Country Director of British Council, Ghana, Chikodi Onyemerela, couldn't be more excited! He's urging participating countries to seize this moment and strengthen their connections.
The Games, he believes, offer a unique opportunity to build sports and citizenship connections between Birmingham, the host city, the various Commonwealth countries, and their respective regions. He enthusiastically stated, "The games will provide additional support as we rebuild and recover from the remnants of the global pandemic."
At a recent Queens Baton relay event in Accra, Onyemerela made it clear that the British Council would take advantage of this "moment-in-time" opportunity created by numerous civic and cultural events in the UK to enhance mutual benefits through exchange and collaboration in the arts and education, specifically focusing on disadvantaged social groups.
Beth Cadman, the Development Director from the UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), echoed similar sentiments, regarding the Queen's Baton as a curtain raiser for the Games while also serving as a celebration of the diverse cultures of the Commonwealth and shared links across the globe.
In addition, she stressed the Games as a chance to engage young people in sports.
Evans Opoku Bobie, the Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, stated his outfit's commitment to supporting the Ghanaian team in preparation for the games, with the ultimate goal of leading them to victory. Interestingly, since Ghana's introduction to the Commonwealth Games, the country has won a total of 57 medals, including 15 golds, 18 silvers, and 24 bronzes.
Over the past 60 years, the Queen's Baton Relay has been a significant event that marks the start of the Commonwealth Games, connecting people from across the Commonwealth while spreading a message of unity and hope. The Baton arrived in Ghana as part of its worldwide journey to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 28 to August 8, 2022, in England.
The Baton will subsequently visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth for 294 days, covering approximately 140,000 kilometers. Ultimately, the global journey will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 28, 2022. This collective journey aims to inspire hope, solidarity, and collaboration for the next generation.
Most importantly, participation in the Games offers countries the opportunity to develop sports infrastructure, foster social and cultural ties, and engage their citizens in a globally recognized event that aligns with Commonwealth values and development goals. This cooperation helps boost national pride and international unity among the nations of the Commonwealth.
References:1. https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-commonwealth-mean-in-2018-794612. https://www.sportsmanagement. org/uk/community/commonwealth-games-legacy3. https://researchbriefs. ai/research/politics/the-benefits-of-commonwealth-games4. https://theconversation.com/how-the-commonwealth-games-can-foster-cultural-exchange-1550475. https://open athletics.net/site/commonwealth-games/history-and-legacy/legacy-of-the-commonwealth-games.php
- The British Council's Country Director, Chikodi Onyemerela, sees the 2022 Commonwealth Games as an opportunity to strengthen connections, not only in sports but also in education, especially focusing on disadvantaged social groups.
- Beth Cadman, from the UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), believes the Games can engage young people in sports, while also celebrating the diverse cultures of the Commonwealth.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news, Evans Opoku Bobie, Ghana's Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, emphasized his outfit's commitment to supporting the Ghanaian team, aiming to lead them to victory in the upcoming Games.
- The Queen's Baton Relay, a significant event that marks the start of the Commonwealth Games, also serves as a platform for promoting unity and hope across the market, fostering social and cultural ties, and contributing to the development of sports infrastructure in participating countries.
- Sports-analysis predicts that the Commonwealth Games will not only inspire hope, solidarity, and collaboration for the next generation but also boost national pride and international unity among the nations of the Commonwealth, aligning with their shared development goals.
