The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC-Ghana), in collaboration with the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), has announced the departure of three para athletics athletes to compete at the 2026 Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix, scheduled from February 10 to 13, 2026, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The team features Botsyo Nkegbe, Zinabu Issah, and Hayford Addai, alongside their coach, Emmanuel Anum Sowah. As part of a phased travel arrangement, Coach Sowah departed on February 4, 2026, with Hayford Addai, who is set to make his international debut. Addai will also undergo his first international classification on February 6, where he is expected to be confirmed as a T47 para-athlete.
A promising teenage arm-amputee sprinter and long jumper, Hayford Addai is currently in his second year at Konongo Senior High School. He has already shown great potential by competing in the Ashanti Regional Interschools Athletics Competition against non-disabled athletes. The Dubai Grand Prix will mark his first appearance at a World Para Athletics event and serves as the final direct qualifying opportunity for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
In terms of events, Zinabu Issah (F57 – Women) will compete in the shot put and discus throw. Hayford Addai (T47 – Men) is set to participate in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and long jump, while Botsyo Nkegbe (T54 – Men) will compete in the 100m, 800m, and 1500m races.
NPC-Ghana is confident that the athletes will perform strongly and potentially secure direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, joining Paralympian Tahiru Haruna, who has already qualified in para powerlifting.
The committee also expressed its sincere appreciation to the Ghana Olympic Committee for its financial support, which made it possible for the team to travel and compete at the international level.
