Ghana, the Olympics and the numbers

Ever since the list of Ghana’s contingent to the upcoming London Games came out, I have been cracking my brains to recall when in the history of the country’s participation in the Olympics since the debut as a British colony in 1952 had so small a team left the shores to compete in this global bonanza.

A team of nine, made up three track and field athletes, four boxers , a judoka and a weightlifter, is in Britain preparing for the 2012 Olympics and is expected to fly the red, gold and green flag with black star in the centre when the 204 nations march past during the opening ceremony on Friday, July 27.

I wrote ‘expected to fly the flag’ advisedly because there is fear that what happened during the Maputo All-African Games last year when there was no show by Ghana during the opening ceremony would be repeated. As it was then, an alarm has been raised by the Chef de Mission, Nii Adote Din Barima 1,that once again the team’s ceremonial kit had delayed in arriving.

Indeed, the kit for competition had also not arrived. And this was eight days before the opening of the Games. One would have expected that after all the embarrassment and frustration that Team Ghana went through at the continental games, which led to a probe, lessons would have been learned. But, alas, that was expecting too much and we have to keep our fingers crossed while hoping and praying that by some divine intervention, Ghana will be there when the world comes marching into the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

Perhaps, we should be grateful that Ghana is even at the Games in the first place. As late as last year, our dear country was on the brink of missing out altogether as a protracted battle for who was to run the Ghana Olympic Committee(GOC) was fiercely raging, with the threat of suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hanging ominously over its head.

Given that background, is it any wonder that getting athletes to qualify for London became such a ‘gargantuan’ battle, hence the fact that only nine athletes are to represent the country? Who knows, this could be the true reflection of Ghana’s sporting strength. And hasn’t it been said that small is beautiful?

Whilst that could be some consolation, perhaps all of us would be outraged if what I’m hearing about the number of officials flying to the Games turns out to be true. As often happens, the lure of a paid holiday plus per diem allowances to be enjoyed and the opportunity to go on a shopping spree are what matter, not the Games per se.

I have to confess that I haven’t been able to get confirmation of the actual numbers but my source is usually reliable. I’m desperately hoping he’s wrong this time. Otherwise, how can anybody explain to the taxpayer that apart from the officially accredited delegation of coaches and administrators, a so-called 18-man team of Government and National Sports Authority officials are due to make the trip?

As I have already said, I hope it isn’t the whole truth because it would be criminally irresponsible for any individual to approve for state resources to be wasted this way. Even Nigeria, known for its profligacy when it comes to such occasions, has set an example which is so laudable that it is so difficult to associate with that country. The Government has decreed that no official delegation should be sent to the Games. Why can’t we learn from our brothers and stop this practice, which is not only wasteful but totally indefensible.

Yes, how can anybody look Ghanaians in the face and say that for a team of nine performers, 18 officials, who have absolutely no business at the Games, should be bought plane tickets and paid per diem allowances to go on what is really a holiday in London.

I repeat: it is a waste and criminal. So, whoever has the power to stop it, must act fast.

Postscript: This is truly a year for Chelsea, no matter where it is based. After original Chelsea defied all odds to lift the Eufa Champions League, the Ghana version from Bechem appear to be heading the same direction in the African continental competition.

After the thrilling performance against five-times African champions, Zamalek of Egypt in which they came from behind to win 3-2, the Bechem boys performed similar heroics last Sunday when they travelled to Congo DR. This time, they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with TP Mazembe. And guess what, their prolific scorer Emmanuel Clottey was once again the man who got both goals. Surely, this young man can’t be ignored any longer by Black Stars’ coach Kwasi Appiah.