Athletes United: Nsiah Gives up Spot for Teammate

It seems to me that the problems of Ghana athletics are being revealed to the public more than ever before and I truly hope that this time, enough ?surgery? is done to the ?cancer? that is killing our sport. It is quite disheartening that our officials and some part of the media are coming up with untruthful statements to help break up the alliance the athletes have worked hard to forge. With this article, I want to express my support for this alliance. I also announce that I want to give up my spot on the Commonwealth team for sprinter Eric Nkansah, whose recent performances warrant him a spot.

Let me quickly review my take on the selection process. If the reading public can remember, back in May I wrote an article decrying the selection process that dropped me from the Commonwealth team when I had the fifth fastest time (at that time) in the world. Recently, rumors are circulating that some officials believe that Dr. Dodoo either wrote or made me write that letter. That is an insult to my intelligence. In fact, I should have written a more scathing article when officials who are supposed to be watching out for my best interests decide to rob me blind.

Subsequently, that badly selected team ? let me remind you the second of such teams - was changed and new selections were made. Lo and behold, we were cheated again. The second and fifth ranked amongst Commonwealth triple jumpers (Samuel Okantey and Andrew Owusu) were not included. This outrageous selection led us, the foreign athletes, to issue a boycott threat if the selections were not done right.

Owusu was then added to the team while Okantey was left out because of alleged indiscipline on his part. Therefore, to level the playing field, we as an athlete?s association called for the withdrawal of the head coach from the team based on ? several cases ? of indiscipline on his part, not to mention his involvement in the ?visa for cash? scandal.

Then, when sprinters Kenneth Andam and Monica Twum decided not to go to the Games, due to their not being physically ready, it was reported to the media ? via reliable sources - that they were boycotting in support of the head coach. In other words, their honorable action was reduced in a manipulative attempt to deceive Ghanaians that they supported the coach we asked to withdraw, and were against the athletes association decision. Well, Andam has come out to categorically deny that baseless assertion. It is ludicrous for people to think we are not united as athletes given that; we have all, each and everyone of us, suffered under the current system or regime Ghana athletics. Still, another mysterious report has made it into the media that Eric Nikansah does not support the actions of the athletes association. I talk to Eric all the time and I can say that this statement is not the truth.

I received an invitation letter from Dr. Owusu Ansah on July12th instructing me to be in Manchester on July 15th. The letter included the name of Eric Nkansah as an athlete, but interestingly he was somehow dropped that very same day presumably because Ghanaian officials had decided that we would participate in the 4x100m. The letter only had four sprinters name on the team and I wonder who the other leg of the relay would have been before they dropped it????. Well, guess what, Eric Nkansah has just run the fastest legal time by a Ghanaian this year in the 100m (10.15s). In other words, He has just become He is our current number-one sprinter.

As an athlete who has a conscience, I do not feel it is proper for me to represent Ghana when I know there is another Ghanaian athlete who has run virtually a whole tenth of a second faster than me. Anyone who knows the sprints understands that translates into a substantial gap. Besides, his performance is so current that the country deserves to have him run. Therefore, with this press release I am yielding my place in the team to Mr. Nkansah. If the officials cannot make a selection that allows Ghana?s current best to represent our dear country, we as athletes have the conscience to do so. Sure, we all dream of glory at major competitions like the Commonwealth Games, but above our personal goals should be the good of our country. This is the spirit that guides the reform efforts that we as athletes have embarked on.

Even before I yielded my position, I want to stress that as I prepared for the Games, I never had the peace of mind to concentrate on my preparations because at every turn, some officials were trying to put road blocks in our path, rather than concentrate on doing what was best for the athletes and our dear nation. We persevered as a group and made sure that at least most of the best we have will represent us at the Games.

I cannot pretend that all is ok with me. I am emotionally and physically spent by the actions and inactions of Ghana sports officials and I hope that the next time around, things will be done in a better way so that athletes can prepare and go to the Games with the correct mindset for winning medals. To Andrew Owusu, I wish you smooth wings to soar. You have fought a long hard fight, and have represented us well. To sprinter Aziz Zakari, I say, ?May you have the quickest feet in Manchester, despite all these barriers we have had to overcome.? To heptathlete Margaret Simpson and sprinter Vida Anim, I wish the best of luck. I hope that the two of you will learn from your senior colleagues about the importance of righting this ship that is Ghana athletics, because unless Ghana athletics changes, your future will be just as cloudy as our present is.

To our critics who wish us nothing but failure, I say good luck. We the athletes of Ghana have decided to stand strong and tall and fight for the right to be treated with respect and be given the necessary resources and PEACE OF MIND required to compete at such a high level. We are united as never before and we plan to stay together ? whether we sink or swim.

Remember this song?

Yen ara asase ni!

I still believe in it.