FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The attention of the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been drawn to publications about some 11 Ghanaian Paralympic athletes purported to have absconded while in Oslo, Norway to participate in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon.

The report also indicated that, the coach of the team, George Gyamfi Gyasi had collapsed and was admitted at the Oslo University Hospital where he later passed away. Additionally, one other member of the team, Nana Antwi was arrested and detained by the Norwegian security officials while attempting to travel to Sweden by train.

The Ministry of National Security has alerted the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the issue for its necessary action.

By way of education, we wish to state the following:

In relation to visa assistance and travel arrangements for athletes, the Ministry of Youth and Sports works upon technical recommendations of the National Sports Authority (NSA). Federations submit requests for visa assistance for athletes who are to participate in any international competition.

*The Ministry of Youth and Sports then transmits a communication of the requests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to facilitate the acquisition of the relevant visas with the appropriate embassies and consulate offices.

In the Norwegian incident, the Ministry of Youth and Sports did not receive any communication from the National Sports Authority, nor the National Paralympic Committee on the said competition and therefore was unaware of the participation of the Paralympic team in the Marathon.

We wish to state that, we are actively working with the relevant authorities to investigate the matter to ascertain the issues surrounding the incident. Necessary sanctions would be brought to bare on all parties found culpable in the matter.

The Ministry is also aware of a letter signed by the President of the National Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen suspending 3 individuals, who may have had a hand in the incident. We are working closely with him to get to the bottom of the matter.

It is important to note that while this incident is unfortunate, it does not define the dedication and integrity of the entire sports fraternity. Our athletes and officials have consistently showcased remarkable discipline.

We therefore wish to assure the public that, the appropriate punitive measures will be meted out to whoever is found culpable in this incident when the findings of the investigations are finalized. Measures would be strengthened to avoid the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports takes this opportunity to entreat Embassies and Consulate Offices in the country to verify visa requests for sporting competitions and tournaments with the Ministry. Especially those purporting to represent the Country in a national capacity.

ISSUED BY:

PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT