The World event is underway in Hamburg, Germany and Africa is represented by Morocco in the Male Division and Algeria in the Women’s Division.
Ghana did not make it to Germany after failing to show up for qualification games earlier this year in South Africa largely due to financial challenges.
While the Federation and Asiedu wish Morocco and Algeria the best luck representing Africa, the latter did not back his view on the lack of support exclusively to Basketballghana.com. He stated:
“For two years the wheelchair basketball federation has been through a lot of disappointments with regards to funding for international competitions, Ghana for two to three years now have always had invitations to participate in International competitions in Morocco, South Africa and other Well know African countries where wheelchair basketball is played seriously, it’s a pity to be denied international exposure and opportunities to explore and test ourselves with some of the best teams in Africa as a nation because of $10.000 or even less which will cover our flights, feeding and accommodation for 3 to 4 days during tournaments, we still have to literally beg as a federation for sponsorship, as the first Para sports that began In Ghana, it’s a shame to always have a sports ministry that only prides itself with football but overlooks other sporting disciplines that have, and still wins lots of medals to raise the flag of Ghana.
As a media Director for of the GWBF, I’m asking government and cooperate bodies to take a second look at not just Wheelchair basketball but other Para sports disciplines to see how best they can support us during these difficult times and also consider the livelihoods of these players who don’t have any other job to do that play wheelchair basketball for a living.
The Federation is doing a lot locally by organizing competitions just to keep these players active in preparedness for future international tournaments, it’s really painful to note that Ghana could have qualified for the current wheelchair basketball world cup going on in Germany, but as much as we were giving a wildcard to play in the qualifies last year, we couldn’t participate because our SPORTS MINISTRY couldn’t give us $10.000, yet they were quick to dish out $4000 for each of the U 17 players who placed 4th in the world cup tournament. Need I say more? God be our helper.”
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
