Ghana will host the 2022 Middle East Africa (MEA) Championship which will run from 27 September to 2 October this year.
The West African nation’s bid to host the four-nation tournament was successfully chosen after a “comprehensive bidding process”, as stated by the official website.
Defending champions Nigeria, Morocco and Cameroon are joining the host Ghana for the third edition of the championship.
Nana Prempeh, the Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG) president, expressed his joy over the opportunity to host the championship in Ghana and stated that it is a good platform for the government to invest in the sport as a way of achieving growth
“We are very happy to have won the bid to host the 2022 MEA Championship. This will aid RLFG in strengthening its relationship with the government, it also increases awareness to attract more players in various regions, and possibly investors to assist growing the sport”, Nana Prempeh, RLFG.
Welcoming the news, the RLFG General Manager, Jafaru Mustapha indicated that the federation is ready to put up a befitting tournament.
“I am very confident that the 2022 MEA Championship is in the right place. We will work assiduously to make this event one of the best Africa has ever witnessed”, said Jafaru Mustapha.
Meanwhile, the European Rugby League interim chair, Graeme Thompson, has thrown his support behind Ghana hosting the championship
“The staging of the Championship in Ghana will mark another significant milestone for the nation and the sport”, Graeme Thompson said.
The winners for this year’s tournament will get an opportunity to be drawn into the qualification process for the biggest Mundial tournament in 2025.
“There is a greater incentive for the winners this time with victory seeing them join the qualification process on the continent for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup”, said Rugby League.
Ghana is currently ranked 31st in the world in rugby league and 3rd in the Middle East Africa Region.
