Ghana's Sports Minister Edwin Lantey Vanderpuye on Monday sent a message of goodwill to Ghana's team participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as Ghana kick-starts its campaign.

Kaya Adwoa Forson, 14, will become the first Ghanaian swimmer to compete in the Olympics at the Olympic Aquatics stadium in Rio on August 8.

Vanderpuye said he was very excited that Ghana was taking part in the all-important global sporting event, expressing the confidence that the team would make a great impact in the Rio Games.

"You represent the hopes and aspirations of this country at this moment and as you lift aloft the flag of Ghana, remember that the whole country is behind you," he said in his message on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

He urged the team not to relent on their oars but believe in themselves and strive hard to achieve the ultimate in their various disciplines.

Ghana's team will comprise 16 first-time Olympians, participating in five sports at the Rio Games. They are 11 track and field athletes, two swimmers, one weightlifter, one judoka, and one boxer.

More than 10,000 athletes from over 200 member teams of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are expected to compete in the 2016 Rio Games, the first Games in South America.

Source : XINHUA