The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Richard Akpokavie, has called on government to urgently release funds to support the country’s preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
With just over two months to the July event in Glasgow, Scotland, Akpokavie says financial clearance is still pending, leaving the committee and its member associations unable to fully prepare athletes for competition.
Speaking at the GOC’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday, he stressed the added pressure this year, with Ghana also expected to prepare athletes for the Youth Olympic Games alongside the Commonwealth Games.
“This year, we are expected to prepare athletes for both the Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics, yet we are still awaiting funding,” he said.
Akpokavie also confirmed that Ghana will be represented by a 40-athlete contingent at the Games, a significant reduction compared to the team that travelled to Birmingham for the previous edition.
While acknowledging prevailing economic constraints, he appealed for the timely release of the approved sports budget to ensure adequate preparation.
“We understand the broader economic challenges facing all sectors. However, we respectfully appeal for the release of the limited funds approved for sports,” he added.
Ghana is expected to compete in athletics, boxing, judo, para-athletics, para-powerlifting, para-swimming, and weightlifting at the Games.
