Ghana absent from IAAF youth championship

Ghana will for the second successive time be absent at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine.

There will be no show for Ghana despite earlier attempt to have sprinter, Susanna Acolatse represent the country.

Information pieced together by GNA Sports indicates, the 16-year old sprinter could not make the meet which will gather several youth athletes in Donetsk, beginning Wednesday, July 10, due to financial challenges.

Bawa Fuseini, General Secretary of Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) told GNA Sports the initial plan fell through when the parents of Acolatse failed to raise the required funds to enable them to accompany the sprinter who is considered a minor.

‘She has a very high prospect so we entered her to represent us and her parents agreed. At 16-years, she is already registering 11.8 seconds which compared to some of our senior and experienced athletes is very good.

‘Her parents however, informed us later that they were unable to gather enough money to enable them to accompany her to Donetsk, since she is still a minor and cannot be allowed to travel all by herself.’

After missing the last edition held in Barcelona, Spain, Bawa said the GAA was hoping to make a representation at this year’s event.

Acolatse was registered to compete in the 100 meters event.

Source: GNA