Sports ministry responds to Azamati and Saminu’s complaints about travel arrangements

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has clarified that it does not arrange flights for athletes, following complaints from Ghana’s 4x100m relay team.

After the team secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing with a time of 38.09 seconds, Benjamin Azamati and Abdul Rasheed Saminu raised concerns about inadequate logistics support and poor travel arrangements to Gaborone, Botswana.

In a statement released on May 4, 2026, the ministry explained that travel arrangements are the responsibility of the athletics association and that international competition protocols cannot be blamed.

Ghana’s 4x100m relay team qualify for 2027 World Championships

It emphasised that grievances should be directed to the association, while the ministry’s role is only to facilitate the process.

“The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has taken note of recent public comments by members of Ghana's men’s 4x100m relay team, as well as the statement issued by the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), regarding travel and preparation arrangements for the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana. The ministry wishes to state clearly that arrival timelines and competition preparation schedules are determined by federation engagements and international competition protocols, not by the ministry.

"The role of the ministry, upon receipt of recommendations from the National Sports Authority and the relevant federation, is to facilitate the procurement of travel arrangements in line with the approved schedule. With specific reference to the World Athletics Relays, the ministry did not vary or alter the travel schedule as submitted by the Ghana Athletics Association,” the statement read.

The ministry commended the athletes for their qualification and reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with federations to better prepare athletes.

“The ministry remains committed to supporting all national teams within established procedures and will continue to work with the National Sports Authority and federations to strengthen coordination and ensure optimal preparation conditions for athletes. We commend the team for their performance and qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships and wish them continued success,” it added.

Read the full statement below:

SB/JE

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