The Ghana Athletics Association has been forced to make two changes to the men’s 4x100m relay team ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The change became necessary after one of the five-member team that competed at the just-ended World Athletics Championships had challenges securing a UK visa while the other opted out for personal reasons.
Joseph Manu, who ran the 3rd leg of Ghana’s record-setting quartet, asked to be left out of the games for personal reasons while reserve athlete, Emmanuel Yeboah, had complications securing a UK visa.
The foregoing circumstances meant the GAA did not enter the duo for the Birmingham Games, changes that were made even before the start of the world championships in Oregon.
“I would like to inform you that Joseph Manu will not be able to join the team in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games due to some personal reasons. In as much as we and the athletes could have wished to be part of the team but the situation would not allow that” Bawah Fuseini said.
“In his instead we have equally good athlete like Barnabas Agerh and Rasheed Saminu as reserve for the relay”
“In another development,
Halutie Hor, Latifa Ali, and Deborah Acquah are still waiting to receive their UK visas to travel to Birmingham for Games, he added.
The Authorities (GAA, GOC, and Ministry) are working seriously to get them the visas this week.
The GAA want to ensure all Ghanaians that every thing will be done to get the compliment of the full team to the games in Birmingham”
A total of 14 athletes will compete in seven different events with the majority competing in the sprints.
MEN
- Benjamin Kwaku Azamati – 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
- Joseph Paul Amoah – 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
- Sean Safo Antwi – 100m & 4x100m relay
- Isaac Botsio – 4x100m relay
- Barnabas Agerh – 4x100m relay
- Alex Amankwa – 800m
WOMEN
- Mary Boakye – 4x100m relay
- Latifa Ali – 4x100m relay
- Halutie Hor – 4x100m relay
- Gifty Oku Kwakyewaa – 4x100m relay
- Deborah Acquah – long jump & 4x100m relay
- Abigail Kwarteng – High Jump
- Rose Amonimaa Yeboah – High Jump
- Martha Bissah – 1500m & 800m
The 2022 Commonwealth Games are slated for July 28-8 August, 2022.
