Ghana’s disabled athletes ask for support ahead of Paralympic Games
Accra, Aug 16 (IANS) Three Ghanaian athletes billed for next month’s Rio Paralympic Games have called upon the government for support as they prepare for the quadrennial event.
Alem Mumuni, Ghana’s first paracyclist at the Olympics, Charles Narh Teye (powerlifting), and Yusif Amadu (high-jump), mostly sealed qualification to the multi-sports event through personal struggles and financial support from individuals, reports Xinhua.
They are demanding an immediate refund of all monies they spent on their qualification to the Games, as well as increase in training allowances, qualification bonus and assurance of motivational packages ahead of the beginning of the disability sports event.
Both Narh and Alem are fine-tuning in the United States ahead of the Games while Amadu is currently training in Ghana amidst poor facilities.
The pathetic state of the preparations towards the Games is casting shadows on the hopes of Ghana making an impact in Rio. But the athletes are very hopeful to make a difference if these demands are met and drastic measures are quickly taken, said Theodore Mawuli Viwotor on Monday, a senior member of the disabled sports in Ghana.
“We are not asking for anything extra; we have spent our own monies to qualify for Ghana with the support of friends and some sponsors so if we ask for a refund and motivation it is legitimate,” Amadu said on Monday.
Ghana will be represented by three athletes at this year’s Paralympic Games, one short of the four who made it to the London 2012 version.