Ghana will take part in Olympic Games - Francis Dodoo

Accra, Feb. 11, GNA - The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) president Professor Francis Dodoo has insisted that athletes who had made the qualifying times will represent Ghana at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil, this year.

He said this, amidst reports that, Ghana might pull out of the quadrennial competitions due to lack of funds.

He said the GOC is committed to ensuring that athletes dream of Olympic participation is fulfilled 'we are committed to making this Olympic dream of Ghanaian youth happen. We have a very healthy set of athletes right now and we are sure they do their best for Ghana''.

He emphasized that, it's premature to assume Ghana's participation at the competition won't be fulfilled due to funds.

'Government had been thoroughly briefed on the funds needed for the qualifiers and the Games' and wondered 'how people could just jump into such a conclusion.'

'As far as we're concerned, it is not time for anybody to make a determination that government is not going to provide the funds. We were fortunate enough to be invited by the Minister to be part of his entourage to meet the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports last week.

'They (Parliamentary Select Committee) heard us. They asked us what we thought the budgetary needs will be. They had some criticism and they had points of encouragements. We have given it to them. We are waiting to see what they will do so I think it is quite premature for anybody to be suggesting that the money is not coming.' Dodoo stated.

According to him, the false statement on Ghana's participation will affect athletes who are preparing adequately for the Games.

'I have received at least half dozen emails from athletes, some of whom are in overseas, who were concerned that all their training would be going to waste if Ghana does not participate in the games.

'So I think it is quite dangerous to make statements like that because you can easily kill the motivation of your athletes who are preparing.

'What I have done is I have told these athletes that government has not taken such a decision. I haven't heard government make a statement to that effect.'' He stressed.

GNA