As Ghana’s swimming team prepares for the 2023 African Games, they face the absence of two key swimmers, Kaya and Zaira Forson, whose participation could have greatly bolstered the country’s medal prospects.
Unfortunately, the Forson sisters will not be taking part in the 13th African Games, which Ghana is hosting. According to a report by 3News, Kaya and Zaira made the difficult decision to opt out of the competition due to clashes with their academic commitments in France.
Farida Alhassan, the Treasurer of the Ghana Swimming Association, confirmed this news, expressing concern over the impact of their absence on the team’s chances of securing medals.
She explained that although the sisters initially intended to participate in the African Games, a sudden change in their academic schedule forced them to prioritise their studies over the sport.
“Zaira Forson and Kaya Forson are the only major long-distance swimmers that we have—those who have done it consistently. Certainly, it is going to affect the team, but what can we say… They are still students aside from being swimmers, so education is really paramount and they need to focus on their education.”
Alhassan further stated, “They were supposed to come until a new schedule came out for her examination (Zaira). Unfortunately, that is what has happened, so we just need to adjust to her absence and see how to manage the situation.”
Despite the setback of the Forson sisters’ absence, Ghana finds some optimism in the inclusion of the Jackson brothers, Abeiku and Kow, in the final squad for the swimming competition.
They will be joined by Unilez Takyi and Christian Nii Nortey Duah.
The swimming events for the 2023 African Games commence on March 9, 2024.