African Games: We submitted required list of bicycles and accessories – Cycling Federation responds to Sports Minister

By
Frank Appiah
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The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) has denied claims made by the Sports Minister suggesting their inability to submit a list of required equipment to enable cyclists to compete at the 2023 African Games.

The minister Mustapha Ussif in response to backlash from the public regarding unavailable equipment for Ghanaian cyclists at the competition said the Cycling Federation was to blame for the inconvenience.

He stated, “If you’re the Cycling Federation, and you knew that you needed fiber-made bicycles and not aluminum bicycles, it is your responsibility to submit your list to us, and we will get them. If we cannot get all, we will buy.”

However, according to the latest statement released by the GCF, all required accessories and equipment to aid cyclists to compete smoothly were demanded through the appropriate means.

“The GCF in compliance as shown in the email correspondence attached to the CDM and the LOC submitted its list for bicycles and accessories and needed for the Africa Games.”

Despite frequent engagements and follow up they only received substandard equipment and didn’t get their demands.

“Unfortunately the Federation did not receive the full compliment on its list during training prior to the commencement of the games on the 9th March, 2024 and thereafter.

“There were no bicycles, jerseys , helmets, gloves, tires, inner tubes and shoes for Team Ghana for the competition as expected and we had to rely on the federation’s old supplies which was supplemented by bicycles and accessories belonging to the individual cyclists selected for the games,” the statement clarified.

“The federation was shown some cycling boots on the eve of the start of the competition which were inappropriate for the competition and couldn’t be used for the games.”

The fiasco stems from a series of disappointments recorded by Team Ghana at the African Games regarding cycling.

In an interview with Onua Sports, Abigail Tetteh, a Ghanaian female cyclist revealed that her self-funded bicycle was not in good shape to allow her to compete.

According to Tetteh, the team had to fund their own bicycles and purchased aluminium bikes, which were not as effective as the fibre bikes used by other countries.

Tetteh and three other Ghanaian cyclists were unable to complete the women’s race due to inadequate equipment.

National champion Michael Naabas situation was even worse as his bicycle broke down during a race. The tube connected to his bike exploded forcing him to pull out of the race while denying Team Ghana the possibility of securing a medal.

More terrible incidents have occurred afterwards with a number of cyclists giving up due to their faulty bicycles including Joseph Nii Quaye’s bike which ripped into two while racing in the African Games.

In other disciplines, athletes have equally complained about inadequate equipment. Badminton players complained about unavailable buses to transport them to venues forcing them to sit in their coach’s pick-up buckets.

Also, weightlifter Winnifred Ntumi who clinched Ghana’s first three medals revealed in an interview with 3FM that she used her own apparel to compete for the nation since the ones provided were not in good shape.

Team Ghana currently sits 12th on the overall medal table with five medals.