The trend of dependence on the Youth and Sports Ministry for Ghana’s participation in international events is taking a new turn, as the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) looks forward to absorbing a $300,000 bill for Ghana’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

President of the GOC Ben Nunoo-Mensah told Joy Sports that his outfit’s strategy for this summer games is to secure funding through sponsorships to meet the cost of participation in the Games. The GOC president revealed this on the Joy Sports Link on Joy FM.

“The sponsorship drive so far is extremely good. For an industry that people don’t associate with that quickly I think it’s extremely good. Ashfoam for instance has always been there and I commend George Massih and his team at Ashfoam for the support. Not only the GOC but Ghana sports and boxing as well.”

“Ashfoam promised to give us $20,000 last year and indicated they will top it up at our last meeting. They would probably pick up the cost of our kitting for Tokyo.

We have also had discussions with Betway and Toyota and it looks very good. Even though we haven’t had discussions there is huge promise from Twellium, the manufacturers of Rush Energy Drink. McBerry Biscuits and the planet range of drinks. For now these are the companies that have stood out and want to go with it,”

The GOC President says he is also confident some five more sponsors may come on board based on the conversations so far.

“What we plan doing, which I have discussed with the Minister, is that, if we can go to the Olympic Games and the budget is picked up by corporate Ghana, to take off the undue pressure on the Ministry’s very little budget it will help. Because the kind of budget that goes to our sports ministry is nothing compared to the responsibility that the Minister has on his hands.”

“The GOC has done it before i.e. attending the games without taking a pesewa from the Ministry If we can for instance take off $300,000 from the Minister’s head and off his small budget for 2021 that will be good.” 

According to Nunoo-Mensah, his outfit in collaboration with the Youth and Sports Ministry will form an International Games Committee to see to. “If we fall short in anyway, I am sure the ministry will come in and support

Over the weekend, Ghana’s male 4 x 100m relay team also qualified for the Olympics after securing the second spot in the first heat at the 2021 World Relay championships in Poland. The sprint quartet composed of Joseph Manu, Joseph Paul Amoah, Sean Safo-Antwi and Benjamin Azamati who is Ghana’s 100m record holder recorded a time of 38.79s.