Team Ghana authorities have requested a “thorough” report from the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) following the disqualification of the country’s 4X100m men’s team on Saturday.
Despite securing qualification to the finals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK, the men’s relay team was disqualified as a result of failure by authorities to notify organisers on the changes in the team’s line-up.
According to the race rules, changes are supposed to be confirmed at least an hour prior to a race.
Ghana had withdrawn Joseph Paul Amoah as the anchor leg because of his impending race in the 200m final – which got the country its first medal on the tracks at the Games in 48 years.
“The Management of Team Ghana at Birmingham 2022 is bitterly disappointed with events at the Commonwealth Games that robbed Ghana’s 4×100 relay team on Saturday,” a statement from the Chef de Mission, Frederick Acheampong, said.
“We were confident that the athletes who put in hours, months and years training for their chance at glory would get at least the opportunity to contest for a medal. We share in the disappointment of the athletes, fans and country that they were denied that opportunity as it turned out.
“The Chef de Mission of Team Ghana has requested a thorough report from the Ghana Athletics Association leadership and coaches to understand the circumstances that led to disqualification of the team — and the denial of a lifetime opportunity for the relay team.
“We are determined to get to the bottom of the issue and ensure that necessary actions are taken and the required lessons are learnt from the episode.”
Source: 3news.com|Birmingham, UK