Ghana Paralympic Committee appeals for financial assistance
The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPCG) has appealed to the government of Ghana, corporate institutions as well as benevolent societies to come to their aid in their bid to participate in the Rio Paralympics games.
The Ghana Paralympic Committee says it has struggled financially in supporting athletes to compete for this year’s Rio Paralympic Games qualifiers.
Two of Ghana’s Paralympic athletes, Alex Mumuni (paracyling) and Charles Narh Teye (power lifting), amidst all the challenges, have succeeded in qualifying the for the Global Sports festival in September.
Speaking to the GNA Sports, General Secretary of the NPCG, Mr. Ignacious Elletey said Ghana has enough quality and determined athletes, who could qualify for the games in addition to the two tickets we already have, if they are supported.
He said the NPCG was financially weak and needs financial aid to rescue the ‘physically challenged athletes’ from missing out in their last qualifying opportunity for the Rio games.
“The Committee cannot fund our athletes to the Berlin Open Championship in July because we don’t have money. It is a sad and difficult moment for us. We need support from government, corporate organizations and the general public to save the situation. This is the last chance for the athletes!” Mr. Elletey pleaded.
The NPCG thanked the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for their timely intervention and support for the team in May. SSNIT gave an amount of GH¢21,110.65 to the NPCG, which enabled the athletes to participate in the Switzerland Open Championship in May.
The kind gesture from SSNIT sponsored three of the athletes; Botcswo Nkegbe (T54 100,200 400m), Patrick Obeng (T54 800, 1500m), Felix Acheampong (T54 800, 1800m) to the Switzerland qualifiers.
Unfortunately all the three athletes failed to qualify automatically to the Games after missing the qualification mark narrowly. Nonetheless, the performances from the athletes gave the country’s Paralympic team a sense of optimisms in the near future.
“We are very grateful to SSNIT for their support for the Paralympic team. We sent a number of sponsorship request out but only SSNIT responded favourably and we appreciate their support which helped us to go to Switzerland in May,” Mr. Elletey said.
“Ghana hopes to increase the number of athletes to the Paralympic Games this year but can only do that through a financial bailout. We will appreciate any form of support for the team.”
Ghana hopes to send at least three field athletes (2males and 1 female) to the July International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned Open championship in Berlin.
Source: GNA