Embassy Rejects Weightlifters

GHANA's FIVE-MEMBER weightlifting team, scheduled to leave for the World Weightlifting Championship, in the Dominican Republic, has been refused visas by the United States of America Embassy in Accra, reports Isaac Franklin. The team, originally slated to leave the country last Sunday night, to prepare adequately for its maiden appearance at the championship, was denied visas yesterday, on account of late application.

The team applied for visas behind schedule, because of its surprising qualification at the just-ended Africa Championship in Morocco. As of yesterday, the Ghana Weightlifting Association led by its chairman, Mr. Johnson Clifford Aboagye, was trying to secure visas through the South African High Commission.

Weightlifting icon, Majeti Fetri leads the team, which comprises Albert Abochi, Nii Doudou, as well as two female weightlifters, Gladys Mensah and Gloria Amoo. Although Commonwealth Games medallist, Majetri Fetri, is the only member who has had some global exposure, the others are capable of springing surprises at the championship.

The competition which serves as a qualification series for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, would start from September 27 to October 7, this year.