Athletics legend Mike Ahey says he is saddened by the nation's failure to tap the experience of retired sporting legends for development efforts. According to him, athletics in the country has experienced a downward surge because current administrators of the sport have failed to listen to expert advice from the accomplished sportsmen and women.

Mike Ahey who was a guest on the May 5 edition of the Joy Sports Link said the current generation of athletes lack the proper training regimen to enable them compete and make a meaningful impact on the international stage. 'I am afraid we are going to the Olympics to just make up the numbers because we do not have the quality to win medals,' he said.

The Commonwealth gold medalist said there are many loopholes in the planning and execution of athletics development was rather disappointed that the Ghana Grand Prix held last year was the only major competition on the athletics calendar. 'We must have more competitions on the local calendar that will even attract all the big names in the world aside the Grand Prix. I don't understand for instance why our National Unity Games cannot be a big enough platform for our athletes to set world records,' Mike Ahey told the Joy Sports Link on Joy FM.

Mike Ahey won a gold Medal at 1962 Commonwealth Games Long Jump event, and won a silver in the same event in 4 by 110 yards relay with Michael Okantey, Bonner Mends and Bukari Bashiru. He also won a silver medal in the 1970 Commonwealth Games 4 by 100 metres Relay with Edward Owusu, George Daniels and James Addy. Ahey also finished fourth in the long jump at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 100 yards at the 1962 Commonwealth Games.

He was decorated with the Order of the Star of the Volta, the highest national honour of the land from Dr Kwame Nkrumah and General I.K. Acheampong. He also received a grand medal during President Kuffour's administration. But the Commonwealth Gold medallist says he is least satisfied with these honours.

'I have been promised a house many times but I have never seen any of those promises fulfilled. I would have appreciated it more if we were given something more substantial because we did not play sport for money. We did it out of our hearts. Dr Kwame Nkrumah has a vision for sports development and would have done a lot for us sportsmen if he had stayed longer,' he said

Story by Nathaniel Attoh/ Joy Sports