In this episode of Combat Sports in Africa, we delve into the exciting world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at the 13th African Games, which took place in Accra, Ghana, from March 8th to March 23rd. This year's games were not just about traditional combat sports like Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo, and Karate; MMA made a significant appearance as a demonstration sport, marking a notable moment for the sport on the continent.
Overseen by the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), the MMA tournament unfolded over two days, from March 10th to March 12th, amidst a broad array of 30 disciplines, including 6 other demonstration sports. This event, organized by the African Union, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, the Association of African Sports Confederations, and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa, showcased eight disciplines serving as qualifiers for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.
Our guest for this episode is Mr. Jeff Taylor, the President of Ghana's Mixed Martial Arts Association. In an insightful interview, Mr. Taylor shares Team Ghana's experiences at the games, highlighting their standout moments, the preparation process, the impact of their participation on MMA and sports development in Ghana, and what the future holds for Team Ghana in MMA on both local and international stages.