The Ministry of Youth and Sports’ delay in finalizing Ghana’s travel arrangements for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas has caused a reduction in the number of participants.
Initially, a 23-member team consisting of 12 athletes and 11 officials were scheduled to travel to this important amateur tourney. That number has been cut down to 13, which includes nine athletes and four officials.
It doesn’t end there. Despite the reduction, the team will travel in batches. The first group left Saturday night and the rest scheduled are scheduled to leave today (Sunday).
It was earlier reported that, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Frank Quist “fought” with the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah. Mensah sought to find out the cause of the delay with traveling arrangements.
The GOC had sent several letters prior for that purpose but the Ministry, headed by minister Isaac Asiamah (pictured) did not respond to any of them until the last minute. And with that last-minute response comes more bad news.
This isn’t the first time the ministry has made a head-scratching decision. Last month, Ghana’s national boxing team was refused funds by the ministry to attend a tourney sanctioned by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the organization that oversees Olympic boxing and amateur events.
Whether the ministry is making these decisions due to a lack of a funding or a lack of direction remains to be seen. Either way, Ghanaians have plenty of reasons to be alarmed.
The team confirmed so far for the Bahamas includes Rafiatu Nuhu (athletics), Emmanuel Plange (tennis), Emmanuel Kemavor (Judo) and Theophilus Edze (official).
The rest leaving today are Alfred Kotey (boxing), Philip Quartey (boxing), Vincent Akai Nettey (coach, boxing), Marian Ibrahim (tennis), Kelvin Karboo (beach volley), Abeiku Jackson (swimming), Eric Tsatsu (beach volley) and Dr. Marhin Engman.
The team is scheduled to return on July 24.
