Ampee is an International unknown emerging sports in the traditional set-up at the rural areas of Ghana,where it has since been practiced widely in rural schools mostly among women.
The Sports has been practicing among the urban folks in Ghana in recent times as a leisure sports among girls in basics and second cycle institution and also moving across gender that’s both men and women are practicing tge the ampee sports.
In the early 2009, the Ghana Olympics Committee had started work on Ampee to develop it into a competitive sports worth International attention.
As I am aware,a group of people have been tasked by the National Sports Authority (NSA) and working on the modalities since 2015 develop and design rules that can make it Internationally acceptable.
Countries in the Central Africa Regions like Gabon,Congo Brazaville,DR Congo and Central Africa Republic have regularise and been practicing competitive ampee in their respective countries since 2005 with an indeginous local/ regional name “NZANGO” or KANGO meaning foot sports and in the case of Democratic Republic of Congo , actually have a Minister in charge of the Sports backed by National decrees passed to regulate the rules and regulations that governs it as an National & International sports.
With the right to host the next edition of the Africa Games in 2023 dubbed the African Olympics and an opportunity to introduce at least 2 traditional sports into the continental sporting showpiece, it’s appropriate AMPEE/NZANGO/KANGO is embrace as a continental and International Sports discipline.
With Ghana blessed with diverse sporting talents,it will not be difficult to rise to the top when the necessary technical support is given and rules and regulations are modify to the Internationally accepted standards.
The Congo Democratic Republic example can be followed where, the sports is held with two(2) opposing teams with 7 – 9 persons(players) each with 6 reserve players.One player each, from each side will come forward to start and each team has to choose which leg either right or left to start the jump and attack with a referee(empire) between them to officiate he events.
As with the vigorous jumps, lifting of the legs and swinging of the arms,it makes the brain to work at the same time,it can be more tiring and exhausting with each encounter lasting up to 50minutes.
From the above,one can’t overlooked the health benefits it gives the human body.
The main social benefits of Nzango or Ampee includes the singing and clapping that goes with it in a uniquely rhythm from the cheering spectators and the combatants alike,a lose in the focus of the singing, can distort the jump and throwing of a competitors leg to affect a lose.
From the,above the sports needs a political push to take it to the next level as a major sports and the multiplier benefits associated with it — Africa Games 2023 should be a start.
Story: JOJO EPHSON
(International Sports Freelance Journalist,Accra)
