Kofi Adams refutes claims of poor feeding and accommodation during African Athletics Championships in Accra

Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has dismissed allegations by South African athlete Aiden Smith that competitors endured poor accommodation and food rationing during the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra.

Smith had claimed that athletes participating in the continental competition, held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, were served inadequate food portions and housed in poor conditions.

However, speaking to the media after appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Monday, May 18, Adams rejected the accusations, insisting that athletes were properly catered for throughout the tournament.

According to the Minister, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) ensured that meals were served consistently and in sufficient quantities during the championship.

“Food was one of the things the LOC handled very well. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served on time, and there was always enough food,” he said.

He also dismissed reports suggesting athletes were restricted in the amount or type of food available to them.

“There was no provision asking athletes to survive on nine eggs. No federation informed the LOC that they were bringing athletes with special dietary needs, so no special arrangements were requested,” he explained.

Adams further denied suggestions that concerns over the spicy nature of local meals had been ignored, stressing that no participating federation formally raised such complaints with organisers.

The 24th African Senior Athletics Championships concluded on Sunday, May 17, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, where athletes from across the continent competed in track and field events over a six-day period.