"Camping period is inadequate"- Simpson

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Ghana's Heptathlete queen, Margaret Simpson has said the period of camping for the 2010 Commonwealth Games for the national athletics team is too short for adequate preparations.

Simpson, one of the nation's medal hopefuls told the GNA Sports in an interview at the team's camp at the National Hockey Pitch, Accra at the week-end that the team will need a minimum of three weeks for preparations but they were compelled to start camping last Saturday, due to lack of funding.

"Our aim was to go to camp at least three weeks before the Games, but the authorities said there was no funding for the exercise.

"We had no option than to make do with the little time and make

sure we make the best out of the situation". She stated. Simpson who was among the five athletes to have commenced

camping at the hostels of the National Hockey Pitch in Accra, said "As

a heptathlete, I will need to rehearse in all my seven disciplines with

my coach in order to get my records right and make the necessary

corrections before the event. "But with only one week to prepare for the event, it will be difficult

for me to have adequate preparations for all my disciplines. The 2003 and 2007 gold medalists at the All Africa Games

expressed similar concerns for the relay team, saying "My brother and

sisters in the relay team will also have to perfect the act of baton

changing among other techniques within this limited time if we are to

make an impact in the relays at the Games. "This will enable them identify their weaknesses and work on them

in good time before departure to India, but with this short time at

their disposal, I don't think they can go through the exercise

successfully. She stated. Simpson has therefore called on corporate bodies to come to the

aid of athletics, adding that the efforts of the country's athletes are

being thwarted by inadequate funding. "There is the need for corporate support if we are to revive

athletics in Ghana and on the international scene. I believe with

adequate funding we will bring more laurels to the nation". She added.

The National Athletics Team is expected to leave Accra on Thursday for India for the Commonwealth Games which will span from October 3-14.