President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah has disclosed that his outfit needs at least $300,000 to buy air tickets, pay for hotels accommodate and pay for per diems to Team Ghana in Tokyo.
The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) will lead Team Ghana to the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
Ghana will participate in her 15th Olympic Games in Tokyo this year and so far 13 athletes have qualified for the quadrennial games.
They include Nadia Eke (triple jump), Joseph Paul Amoah (100m, 200m and 4x100m), Benjamin Azamati 100m, 200m and 4x100m), Shakul Samed (light heavyweight boxer), Samuel Takyi (featherweight boxer), Suleman Tetteh (flyweight boxer) and Anani Kwadjoe (Judo).
Swimmers Abeiku Jackson and Zara Forson would compete on a wild card. Others members of the 4×100 athletics team are Sean Safo-Antwi, Joseph Manu and reserve(s), Edwin Gadayi or Sarfo Ansah.
The GOC President who was ex-President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation is hoping the likes of weightlifters Forester Osei and Christian Amoah are among others who would gain the qualification marks to raise the flag of Ghana.
According to the GOC President, they have managed to secure a training base in the Japanese town of Inawashiro in Fukushima for the Games.
However, what is lacking now is funds to take Team Ghana to the Games.
“The GOC needs at least $300,000 for the Games. As of now, we are working hard to raise as much as we can from the corporate sector. We are embarking on a sponsorship drive to seek support from corporate Ghana and individuals who can offer any support.”
He said if they fail to raise the needed amount, the GOC would rely on the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) to top up.
“We are pushing to have more athletes qualify for the Games and Ghanaians should be rest assured that we would go and win medals.”
From Elizabeth Alhassan[ads5]
