IPC steps in to save Ghana ahead of 2016 Paralympics

Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), has come to the aid of Ghana's Paralympic team, ahead of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, next week.

The IPC, according to information gathered by the GNA Sports, has offered to purchase air tickets for three athletes and two technical officials to enable them fly to Brasil, to participate in the games, since the team is yet to receive funding from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS).

The decision of the IPC to intervene also follows the inability of the organisers of the Games in Rio, to provide travel grants to participating countries due to difficult economic conditions and low purchase of event tickets.

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC), was expected to receive at least $10,000 grant, from the organisers by the end of July, 2016, but this did not materialized, whilst MOYS is yet to release money to the team to facilitate their participation.

According to the information, the NPC after several failed attempts to get funding from MOYS, decided to send a special request to the IPC for assistance, which was granted.

But for the intervention of IPC, Ghana might not be able to participate in the 2016 Olympics Games.

The IPC has been furnished with passport details of the three athletes and their technical officials to process their air tickets and indications are that, they are likely to receive their tickets by clos of Friday, September 1 and leave Ghana on Sunday, September 4.

Alem Mumuni and Charles Teye Narh, will fly from the United States of America (USA), whilst Yussif Amadu, with two coaches Peter Adjei and Shaban Mohamed flying from Ghana to join the team.

GNA