Sports Minister Kofi Adams rejects claims over Black Stars ticket planning

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Idie Adams, has dismissed claims by Ghana’s 4x100m relay team suggesting that flight arrangements for the Black Stars could be made months in advance.

The Buem MP made the clarification amid growing public discussion over alleged differences in logistical support between Ghana’s national athletics team and the senior national football team.

Members of the 4x100m relay squad had earlier expressed frustration over long travel schedules and what they described as inadequate planning, arguing that such challenges negatively affected their preparation and performance.

Responding to the concerns, Kofi Adams insisted that the comparison was misplaced, explaining that it would be unrealistic to book flights for the Black Stars far in advance due to the timing of squad announcements.

“Ghana’s 4x100m relay team got it wrong when they said if it were Black Stars, we would get them tickets a month ahead,” he said.

“It is not possible to secure flight tickets for Black players a month in advance because the squad list is released so late," Mr Adams added.

Despite the concerns raised, Team Ghana managed to secure qualification for the 2026 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. However, their achievement has been partly clouded by ongoing criticism over planning inefficiencies and limited investment in athletics.

The team will now shift focus to the upcoming African Athletics Championships, which are set to be hosted in Ghana.