Ghanaian Athletes Demoralized Over "Uniform" Jokes

To the keen observer, Ghana’s performance so far at the 9^th IAAF world championships (Paris) far exceeds what can be expected from a team that is virtually non funded and keep persevering mainly on the pride within the athletes. However, psychological warfare is already under way initiated by the other African athletic power houses to demoralize our athletes even before arrival in Abuja. Ironically, these cruel jokes against our athletes are actually facts.

Yesterday, at the games village, a group of athletes from a neighboring country (name withheld), said “you Ghanaian athletes come to training and competition like “Ashawo” i.e. prostitutes, you have no team uniforms, no tracks suits, no financial support, possibly no future, i.e., in short you live from day to day on the generosity of personal contacts. What the on earth is wrong with Ghana?”

The truth is, our athletes have no team uniforms and no team track suits. In fact, as reported yesterday, it has now been verified that they have not been paid their allowances either.

Of the three officials who were to accompany the team, only one made it, but even more bizarre, word in Paris is that Ghana is desperately trying to send in a second official with “some” money for the athletes. But why should a country that is always claiming “no money”, have to pay for an expensive last minute ticket to transport only part of the money owed to theses athletes? Would it not make sense to wire the money at a cost of about $150 rather that buy an airline ticket for over $1500? Why not spend that money on the athletes?

Till these hard working athletes are taken care of by the same country that they proudly represent, they will continue to be the laughing stock of their colleagues from other countries.

Ghana’s best medal hope for these games, Ingnisious Gaisah, will compete in the qualifying round of the long jump tonight. Hopefully, he will have a uniform to put on.