Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has rejected claims of poor feeding arrangements for athletes during the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships.

Speaking on the controversy, Adams criticized sections of the media for amplifying what he described as inconsistent claims made by an athlete regarding the quality and quantity of food served during the competition.

“There was absolutely no problem with feeding,” Adams stated.

According to the minister, the athlete in question gave conflicting accounts about the situation, beginning with claims that he was served “half an egg” before later changing the story to “one egg,” and subsequently alleging he received “one chicken” before eventually saying he was given “two chicken” after complaining.

“That illusion will let you know that the athlete was not telling you the truth,” Adams said.

The sports minister also addressed the athlete’s assertion that he normally consumes nine eggs while in South Africa, stressing that organizers had made no provisions for such a diet because no formal request had been submitted.

“We did not make provision for any athlete to be fed nine eggs,” he explained.

Adams noted that athletes with special dietary requirements are expected to complete official forms ahead of competitions so that organizers and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) can make the necessary arrangements.

“If any athlete has a special diet, there is a form that you fill, so that the LOC can factor those needs in. Nobody filled the form that they needed that kind of special diet,” he added.

The minister further argued that the focus on a single athlete’s complaint overshadowed the experiences of other competitors who were satisfied with the feeding arrangements.

“On that same day, South African athletes were being fed and full of smiles and thanking the people. But we were not interested in talking about those ones,” he said.

PAH/JE