Ghanaian Athletes Miss Beijing Games

Only three Ghanaian athletes have so far qualified for the upcoming Beijing Olympics in September, compared to the eight or so that qualified for the last one in Athens, Greece.

Sprinters Vida Anim and Seth Amoo as well as long jumper Ignatius Gaisah(pictured) were the athletes that had so far made the qualifying times for the biggest sporting games that would be held in China this year.

The situation has forced former sprint champion Eric Nkansah, who is also the leader of foreign-based athletes, to vent his spleen on the National Sports Council (NSC) for allegedly failing to release funds on time for the Ghana Athletics Association programmes.

The programmes were expected to help shape the preparation of the athletes.

Mr. Nkansah who spoke to some journalists, bemoaned the alleged negative attitude of the NSC towards other sports disciplines, killing sports development in the country.

Though there are about three competitions left for the other Ghanaian athletes who were yet to make the qualifying time to do so, the chances were limited due to the immense competition coming from foreign athletes, especially those from Jamaica, Great Britain, U.S.A and Canada who were yet to make the qualifying time.

But Sandy Osei Agyemang, Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association has appealed to the athletes yet to qualify for the Olympics Games to put every setback behind them and train hard in order to qualify for the games.

He expressed confidence that with the right preparation, some of the athletes could make it to the Olympic Games.