Address concerns without comparing situation to Black Stars - Ex-GFA chief Fred Pappoe tells athletes

Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Fred Pappoe, has urged Ghanaian athletes to channel their frustrations to the appropriate authorities instead of comparing their situation to that of the Black Stars.

His comments follow growing discussions over the perceived imbalance in attention, funding, and support between athletics and the senior national football team.

Ghanaian sprinters Abdul-Rasheed Saminu and Benjamin Azamati recently expressed dissatisfaction with the demanding travel arrangements they endured en route to Botswana, claiming the exhausting schedule disrupted their preparations and affected their physical condition ahead of competition.

Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Pappoe explained that travel arrangements for national teams are managed by their respective federations and not directly by the Sports Ministry.

“The Sports Ministry does not purchase tickets for the Black Stars. The FA does that, and the Ministry reimburses after, sometimes taking months or years. In this case, the federation responsible for the athletes is the one they have to look at without drawing comparisons,” he said.

Despite the controversy, Team Ghana secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, although the achievement has been overshadowed by criticism over poor planning, inadequate preparation, and limited investment in athletics.

Ghana Athletics will now turn its attention to the upcoming African Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium from May 12 to 17, 2026.

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