Ghana Set To Make History At 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeonChang

Ghana Set To Make History At 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeonChang

Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Chef du Mission for the 2018 PyeonChang Winter Olympics believes the snow platform for elite athletes is another opportunity for the world to know about Ghana.

Addressing the media at the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) on Ghana’s qualification and preparations, he said two athletes made the attempt, but it was only Akwesi Frimpong who was born in Ghana but went to Holland at the age of 8, and later found his way in the United States of America (USA) as the sole representative to compete in the colours of Ghana.

According to Jerry Ahmed who is also a board member of the GOC executive, the qualification of Frimpong as the first Ghanaian to do the Skeleton event is historic and called on the media to grant him the publicity.

The Chef du Mission who would lead the super star and his team comprising a coach and physiotherapist, plus the GOC President and General Secretary noted that the performance Frimpong is inspirational and urged the youth not to give up but trive to do something and never get discouraged until they have achieved positive gains.

He hinted that before he qualified, Frimpong was ranked 95, and now he is among the top 60 in the world in his discipline.

Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the GOC said Frimpong has been getting some funds in a form a grant of $1,500 for eight months to support his training.

He stressed that the qualification of athletes from Ghana, Nigeria and Jamaica where snow does not fall is a great feat and an opportunity for future generations.

He said the GOC has a budget of $57,000 for PeongChang and appealed to corporate Ghana for funding. He said some companies like Cocoa from Ghana, Melcom, Samsung, Binatone and Hyundai have promised to provide for the GOC.

The Winter Olympic Games starts from February 9 to 25, 2018 in South Korea and over 90 nations are expected to take part.

Present at the Press Briefing were Paul Atchoe, Vice President of the GOC, Mr. Duah of the Tennis Federation and Nana Mankatta of the Mass Sports Federation.