Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has criticised the lack of government support for athletes, arguing that it hampers their ability to win major international medals.
In a recent interview, Azamati stressed the importance of providing resources for athletes to participate in preparatory events ahead of major competitions like the World Championships and the Olympics.
Recalling his own experience, Azamati explained how a lack of support affected his performance.
“Before my first Olympics, when I ran 9.97, I had to sit out for about a month before competing, If there had been support, I could have gone to Europe to race while I was in great form, but that support never came.”
Further Azamati continued,
“I had to train on my own and ended up running my worst time of the season at the Olympics. Supporting athletes after college isn’t just about giving them money for food; it’s about helping them compete in events to stay fit and build confidence before major tournaments. Without that support, we’ll keep seeing athletes perform well in college but struggle at international events.”
Azamati, a key member of Ghana’s 4x100m relay team that has qualified for the Paris Olympics, has become a vocal advocate for greater investment in athletics to help Ghanaian athletes achieve success on the global stage.
SOURCE;TV3
