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Sports News of Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Source: Daily Graphic
Youth Olympics : 2 Ghanaian Swimmers Smuggled To Singapore?
Four days into the maiden Youth Olympics in Singapore officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports have commenced investigation into how two unsanctioned swimmers managed to make their way to the Olympic Village to participate under the Ghana flag.
Both swimmers, Wisdom Ofosuhene (50 m back stroke) and Ralf Quaye (100 m free style) who flopped miserably in their heat events last Sunday and yesterday respectively? allegedly travelled to participate in the competition without the knowledge and approval of the National Sports Council (NSC).
Indeed, at last Saturday’s opening ceremony, the two were left out at the Games Village when officials of the Ghana contingent realized the boys were not properly clothed and therefore could not make an appearance at the Marina Bay, venue for the ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Nortey Dua, was hit with the shocking news last Sunday on his way to watch Quaye in his 100 meters free style event.
But Mr Frank Appiah, Vice President of the embattled Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), and one of the key actors in the Olympic power struggle under whose care the boys allegedly travelled, explained to the Graphic Sports in Singapore the boys were there under a special collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations Development Porgramme (UNDP) and the world swimming controlling body, FINA, to give them exposure.
He said the boys were selected by the three bodies after special exercises held at the Akosombo International School, the SOS School and Lincoln International School in Ghana to give opportunities to such talents to participate on non-scoring basis.
“You know the Youth Olympics is also about education and culture, so the IOC wants to give such people the chance to exhibit their talents. This is purely an IOC thing and not under Ghana per sey,” Mr Appiah told the Graphic Sports.
However, the Deputy Minister, himself a trained journalist who has covered such events in times past, told the Graphic Sports there was certainly something wrong since the IOC doesn’t do things in isolation, because they always involve the authorities of the athletes.
Although the boys were said to have come under the IOC programme, the Ghanaian officials had no choice than to factor them into their plans and care for their well-being.
Indeed, since they came without a coach, the national athletics coach, Albert Nukpezan, is the one in charge of their coaching and guidance until their events.
As at the time of filing this report a planned meeting between the Deputy Minister and Mr Appiah had not taken place but Mr Appiah reportedly confirmed the story to Mr Dua on phone.
Sports News of Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Source: Daily Graphic
Youth Olympics : 2 Ghanaian Swimmers Smuggled To Singapore?
Four days into the maiden Youth Olympics in Singapore officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports have commenced investigation into how two unsanctioned swimmers managed to make their way to the Olympic Village to participate under the Ghana flag.
Both swimmers, Wisdom Ofosuhene (50 m back stroke) and Ralf Quaye (100 m free style) who flopped miserably in their heat events last Sunday and yesterday respectively? allegedly travelled to participate in the competition without the knowledge and approval of the National Sports Council (NSC).
Indeed, at last Saturday’s opening ceremony, the two were left out at the Games Village when officials of the Ghana contingent realized the boys were not properly clothed and therefore could not make an appearance at the Marina Bay, venue for the ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Nortey Dua, was hit with the shocking news last Sunday on his way to watch Quaye in his 100 meters free style event.
But Mr Frank Appiah, Vice President of the embattled Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), and one of the key actors in the Olympic power struggle under whose care the boys allegedly travelled, explained to the Graphic Sports in Singapore the boys were there under a special collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations Development Porgramme (UNDP) and the world swimming controlling body, FINA, to give them exposure.
He said the boys were selected by the three bodies after special exercises held at the Akosombo International School, the SOS School and Lincoln International School in Ghana to give opportunities to such talents to participate on non-scoring basis.
“You know the Youth Olympics is also about education and culture, so the IOC wants to give such people the chance to exhibit their talents. This is purely an IOC thing and not under Ghana per sey,” Mr Appiah told the Graphic Sports.
However, the Deputy Minister, himself a trained journalist who has covered such events in times past, told the Graphic Sports there was certainly something wrong since the IOC doesn’t do things in isolation, because they always involve the authorities of the athletes.
Although the boys were said to have come under the IOC programme, the Ghanaian officials had no choice than to factor them into their plans and care for their well-being.
Indeed, since they came without a coach, the national athletics coach, Albert Nukpezan, is the one in charge of their coaching and guidance until their events.
As at the time of filing this report a planned meeting between the Deputy Minister and Mr Appiah had not taken place but Mr Appiah reportedly confirmed the story to Mr Dua on phone.
don't think V. will know where Ghana is?..he might think that is the stuff you buy from the mamak store.."thambi, gana, you got or not?"...
