Sprinters To Boycott 4x100 ?

According to a reliable source, Ghana's sprinters are planning to boycott Saturday's 4x100m relay at the 9th Annual IAAF World Track & Field Championships in Paris, France. They are also threatening to boycott the All African Games in Abuja, Nigeria later this year.

This is in response to the poor treatment and the non-existent help from the sporting authorities in Ghana. As it stands now, only one official has made it so far to Paris. No money in the form of allowances, bonuses and preparation grants have been paid.

Word on the street, both in Accra and Paris, is that financial approval for the World Championships is yet to be granted though we are half-way through the Championships.

"It is appauling that despite the fact that performances in athletics far exceeds that of any other sport in Ghana at the international level, the athletes are treated are so unfairly." lamented a member of the Ghana team

"It seems the athletes may have to seek audience with President Kufour to understand the logical reasons why athletics is constantly under funded despite being the most consistent sport in Ghana." he continued

"Football continues to fail on all fronts yet, 'what they want, they get'. Our footballers are already in camp for the All African Games, as more money is spent on preparation despite the fact that Ghana's best chances for a medal will come from athletics". he ended

Things are looking bleak for Ghana in the competition. No Ghanaian athlete has won medals of any color by day three of nine day games.