"No money syndrome" hits National Dwarfs team ahead of World Dwarf Games

The Ghanaian football dwarf team, the Black Giants, are set to see their efforts to represent the nation thwarted with the usual “no money syndrome” hitting them hard.

The Black Giants are in line for an appearance at the 2017 World Dwarf Games to be held in Canada.

The World Dwarf Games is held every four years and the 2017 version will see the event in its seventh edition. The first ever Dwarf Games was in Chicago in 1993. The event is for short-statured athletes with dwarfism from all over the world, from 4-99 years old.

However, failure to raise the needed funds could serve as a stumbling block to Ghana’s participation.

The General Coordinator of the team, Daniel Arkorful, has noted donations have been made but the amount realized is far off their intended target.

“We need $156,000 in order to participate in these games,” he told Joy Sports.

Despite this gloomy stature, the general coordinator was thankful to individuals and institutions who had contributed their quota in reaching the money collected so far.

“Some benevolent spirits have also come to our aid, a man has given us GHC 16,000.”

“So far we will say kudos to the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Robert Sarfo Mensah. He has done well for the Black Giants.”

The General Coordinator is hopeful the team will go and make the nation proud by picking up medals but is worried about reaching the deadline.

“The tournament is about a week away and we still haven’t received any money after sending several letters to companies for sponsorship.

An individual from a national team or an independent athlete, can compete. Some games include badminton, basketball, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, table tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Story by Joy Sports/Daniel Dake