African Giants light up the 2024 African Games in Ghana

ACCRA, Ghana, March 11, 2024 - An interactive celebration of athleticism and inclusivity inspires audiences at the 2024 African Games. Sports Equity™ Lab and Swiss sportswear brand On’s “Right To Run” program joined forces to present the installation "African Giants." 

Images of six of Africa’s most iconic athletes light up the front wall of the University of Ghana’s sports stadium and take center stage for all visitors approaching the venue of the 2024 African Games in Accra. The installation - Ghana’s first sports interactive LED - invited attendees to contribute their photographs, symbolizing solidarity with the athletes and becoming integral to their stories. The submitted photographs collectively form the images of the African Giants and connect visitors to the aspirational athleticism of African athletes.

Handpicked for their remarkable achievements, the featured sports personalities include On athlete Hellen Obiri, the only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country alongside Feryal Abdelaziz, the first female Egyptian karateka to win Olympic gold; Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, the first Ghanaian to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics; Noemi Alphonse, the first Mauritian para-athlete to reach a Paralympic Games final; Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a multi-world championship Paralympic Games medalist; and Abedi Ayew Pele, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

“Despite being faced with myriad challenges - limited resources, insufficient funding, and systemic biases - Africa continues to produce a constellation of stellar athletes who defy odds and etch their names in sporting history year over year, and generation over generation”, SEL founder Prof Dr. Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu points out. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to add value to the Games with this campaign; showcasing our unwavering commitment to driving inclusivity and the transformative power of sport as a catalyst for social good.”

Sports Equity™ Lab (SEL)’s mission is to foster social justice and decency within the realm of sports. Through science and research, community engagement, and creative content, its aim is to promote inclusivity, equality, and fairness across all aspects of sports, eliminating discrimination and creating opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of race, ability, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other form of marginalization.

At the 2024 African Games, On’s social impact program Right To Run supports Sports Equity™ Lab’s Victory in Unity campaign that showcases exceptional African athletes of all backgrounds. It includes the “African Giants” installation and a Game Changers Pan-African Networking Dinner to celebrate, amplify, and establish an enduring, inclusive legacy of the 13th African Games. On’s Head of Africa, Navalayo Osembo, was a keynote speaker at this important event on the African sports calendar. 

“As one of the African continent’s prime sports events featuring over 4000 athletes from 40+ African countries competing in 29 different sports, the reach and relevance of the African Games are unparalleled. Being present at this impactful event and helping to further Sports Equity™ Lab's mission of increasing inclusion and reducing inequities in sports has been a vital project for us, especially as On's engagement in Africa is still in its early stages," says Osembo.

Since their initial collaboration in 2023, Right To Run and Sports Equity™ Lab have made significant strides in promoting awareness and inclusion within the sporting community. 

Notable initiatives include the inaugural Max Velocity Speed Summit, which engaged 60 young student-athletes and 27 coaches from different backgrounds in a week-long program to support para-athletes and bring the impacts of bullying and the power of inclusion in sports to the forefront. The summit included a technical training session with renowned speed coach Loren Seagrave and former 100-m dash world record holder Asafa Powell, a coaches’ roundtable dinner attended by the Ghana National Olympic Committee President, and a University of Ghana sports science seminar. 

Supported by Right To Run, Sports Equity™ Lab also executed an international sports development activation during the first-ever African Para Games. With support from NBA player Pops Mensah Bonsu, the organization developed a week-long program to directly support the largest sport discipline being played at APG, wheelchair basketball, and teach local students and teachers about Para sport. 

You can find high-res imagery for editorial purposes here (© On).

About On

On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement - a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities, and tennis. Fueled by customer recommendation, On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design, and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base — inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.

On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.

About Right To Run

Right To Run is On’s social impact program committed to breaking down barriers to movement for millions worldwide. By partnering with community-based organizations, Right To Run amplifies efforts towards inclusive participation in physical activities like running races and outdoor adventures, ensuring access, inclusion, and safety for all. Born from the core values of On, Right To Run now enters its fourth year, expanding its reach to positively impact over 130,000 community members. 

Explore impact stories available at On's website.

About Sports Equity™ Lab

Sports Equity Lab is a research organization that utilizes data-driven approaches to engage communities and reduce inequities in sports. For more information, visit https://sportsequitylab.com/.