Lack of Government support hindering Ghanaian athletes from winning medals – Benjamin Azamati

Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has attributed the inability of Ghanaian athletes to win major medals to a lack of adequate support from the government.

Azamati, a member of Ghana’s 4x100m relay team that qualified for the Paris Olympics, has been outspoken about the need for increased investment in athletics to help athletes achieve success on the international stage.

He highlighted the importance of providing resources for athletes to participate in preparatory competitions ahead of major events like the World Championships and Olympic Games.

“Before my first Olympics, when I ran 9.97, I had to sit out for about a month before competing. If there had been support, I could have gone to Europe to compete because I was in great form. Unfortunately, none of that support came,”.

“I had to train on my own and ended up running my worst time of the season at the Olympics. Supporting athletes after college isn’t just about giving them money for food; it’s about facilitating their participation in competitions to stay in shape and build confidence before major tournaments. Without that, we’ll continue to see athletes perform well in college but struggle in international events,” he told TV3.

Azamati is also gearing up to host the third edition of the Ghana Junior Olympics, an event aimed at discovering and nurturing young athletic talent.

The competition is scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana Stadium on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

The post Lack of Government support hindering Ghanaian athletes from winning medals – Benjamin Azamati first appeared on 3News.

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