Inside sources reveal with the exception of Ghana Wheelchair Basketball Federation President Max Vardon, all non playing personnel who were in the West African country’s Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi for the games, have been given 100 Ghana Cedis equivalent to $22.61 American Dollars.
Reigning Ghana Basketball Awards Referee of the Year Gasu Quarmyne, National Team Coach Elvis Alupui and National Media Coordinator Sandy Asiedu were among the eight man contingent present at the Paa Joe Stadium through the entire competition which lasted eight days.
This is the latest controversy to surface in the aftermath of the multi sport event which took place for the first time since 2011 when it was known as the National Unity Games.
Reports during and after the competition of poor feeding, transportation and poor treatment meted to athletes sharply contrasts to what a well resourced competition ought to provide.
Budget for the event, which lasted a little over a week, topped $50,000 and corrupt dealings are rife about the Sakaa Acquaye-led National Sports Authority organized event.
Brong-Ahafo Region beat Greater Accra Region 27-25 in the final game to win the competition with National Team Captain Botsyo Nkegbe starring for the winners. Home region Ashanti clinched bronze.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
Maybe officials should have insisted from the very start on knowing how much they were going to receive. I know a lot of Ghanaians will say we need to sacrifice, but we are ready to sacrifice if we are convinced NSA officials have also sacrificed. Can they make public how much they received as allowances? On some of the days, officials had to return to their places of residence at their own cost and some of us got to Kumasi on our own. I must admit that the feeding was okay but meal coupons were handed out only on a daily basis and we sometimes had to line up for hours on end for our meals. I’m well informed the athletes had to contend with bedbugs and really poor toilet facilities.
Personally, it was an enlightening experience as I’ve always found wheel chair basketball fascinating. However, the organization of the National Sports Festival was nothing to write home about. For me, it was the National Suffering Festival!
Ghana is no more a country worth dying for.Absolutely elementary festival.100 years behind it own time.I don’t blame them,people.evem beg to be called to officiate and coach.