General Secretary of the Ghana Athletics Association, Mr Bawa Fuseini has highlighted the extent, COVID-19 pandemic has affected his federation. According to him, cooperate sponsors hitherto the coronavirus outbreak that were positive during sponsorship negotiation have all pulled out.
Ghana Athletics Association had scheduled to host its national athletics championship this month but called it off following directive by government to suspend all sporting activities as part of measures to stop the spread of the covid-19.
The major domestic athletics competition was expected to bring together the best athletes from abroad and locally to compete on the same platform ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and negotiations had already began with cooperate institutions to offer financial support to the association.
Speaking in an interview with Y 102.5 FM on the dire impact the outbreak has had on his federation, Mr Bawa Fuseini revealed how his outfit has missed on cooperate sponsors.
“It has thrown our programs off board, the money that we were expecting from cooperate institution couldn’t come.
“Before the COVID-19, we had a very good meeting with two-three very big companies that were ready to come on board but since then, we were not able to go back because everybody is struggling”. He said
However, Mr Bawa Fuseini expressed delight, the green light has been given for the athletes to resume training.
President Akuffo Addo during his 10th coronavirus address extended the suspension of sporting activities to July 31 but not contact sports like athletics were excluded, with the confirmation that, they can go ahead with individual training but not to engage in any competition.
“It was a very good news, it was refreshing that at least we can have the opportunity to allow our athletes to continue training and wait for the modalities from the sports ministry as to how we are going to go about it.
“At least we can all do something before the overall lifting of the ban but the association has its own responsibilities in terms of providing safety and security for the athletes, officials, spectators and the coaches as well within this period.
“It’s also good for our progress as well because the Olympics qualification starts in December this year so, if we have an opportunity to start now, it will not be too late for us to have a very good team ahead of the next championship”. He added
By: Stephen-Zando
