Sports Ministry disassociates itself from Ghana’s 4×100 Relay Team travel issues

Ghana’s Ministry of Sports and Recreation has responded to concerns surrounding the travel arrangements of the national men’s 4x100m relay team, stating that it was not responsible for setting the team’s travel itinerary ahead of the World Athletics Relays in Botswana.

In an official statement released on May 4, the Ministry explained that schedules regarding team arrival, acclimatisation, and competition preparation are determined through discussions involving the relevant sports federation and international event guidelines not by the Ministry itself.

“The Ministry wishes to state clearly that arrival timelines and competition preparation schedules are determined by federation engagements and international competition protocols, and not by the Ministry.”

The clarification follows public criticism from members of Ghana’s relay squad, who spoke about the difficult travel arrangements they endured before the competition, including a lengthy 14-hour flight and a 16-hour stopover. The athletes argued that the exhausting journey disrupted their preparation and negatively impacted their readiness heading into the event.

According to the Ministry, its involvement was strictly administrative, focused on facilitating travel plans based on recommendations submitted by the National Sports Authority in collaboration with Ghana Athletics, the federation responsible for athletics in the country.

“The Ministry did not vary or alter the travel schedule as submitted by the Ghana Athletics. The Ministry remains committed to supporting all national teams within established procedures and will continue to work with the National Sports Authority and federations to strengthen coordination and ensure optimal preparation conditions for athletes,” the statement explained.

The Ministry further emphasized its commitment to assisting national teams through the proper channels and pledged continued collaboration with sporting bodies to improve planning, coordination, and athlete welfare ahead of major international competitions.

The latest statement comes shortly after Ghana Athletics publicly accepted responsibility for the travel and pre-event difficulties faced by the relay team, acknowledging shortcomings in the arrangements and promising to put better systems in place moving forward.