We submitted list of bicycles and accessories needed for the Africa Games, says GCF
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, accused the GCF on Monday (11 March) of failing to submit a list of required equipment for the Games, which led to athletes complaining of a lack of equipment
The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) is contesting recent comments by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, who placed blame on the federation for the lack of equipment experienced by Ghanaian cyclists at the ongoing 13th African Games.
Ussif, during a press conference on Monday (11 March), accused the GCF of failing to submit a list of required equipment, stating that the Sports Ministry “procured all the equipment for the federations” based on submitted requests.
In a swift response, the GCF released a statement on Wednesday (13 March), refuting the minister’s claims and providing email correspondence as evidence.
The GCF claim to have complied fully with a request from the Chef de Mission’s (CDM) office in July and November 2023. This request, according to the GCF, required all participating federations to submit equipment and accessory lists with detailed specifications.
The GCF further asserts that despite submitting their list, they did not receive the complete equipment package for training leading up to the Games or during the competition itself. This resulted in a shortage of bicycles, jerseys, helmets, and other essential cycling gear for Team Ghana.
“The CDMs office for the Africa Games has far back as July and November 2023, engaged all federations participating in the Africa Games to provide lists of all equipments and accessories with specification required for the games.”
“The GCF, in compliance as shown in the email correspondence attached to the CDM and the LOC, submitted its list for bicycles and accessories and needed for the Africa Games.”
The statement said the GCF was forced to rely on the federation’s existing, potentially outdated equipment, supplemented by personal gear belonging to the participating cyclists.
“Unfortunately, the Federation did not receive the full complement on its list during training prior to the commencement of the games on the 9th March, 2024, and thereafter.”
“There were no bicycles, jerseys, helmets, gloves, tires, inner tubes, and shoes for Team Ghana for the competition as expected, and we had to rely on the federation’s old supplies, which was supplemented by bicycles and accessories belonging to the individual cyclists selected for the games.”
While acknowledging their collaboration with the Ministry, LOC, and CDM in securing a proper venue, the GCF urges all parties to focus on the ongoing Games. They emphasise their commitment to working with the Ministry and LOC for a successful future outcome.
“We have engaged the Ministry, LOC, and the CDM throughout, and it is the collaboration with them that eventually delivered a decent venue for the games with start and finish lines, crash barriers, etc., for which we are grateful.”
“We urge all to put the unfortunate incident behind us and focus on the games. The Federation will continue to work hand in hand with the Ministry and LOC for a positive outcome of the games moving forward.”
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