Badminton team charged to qualify for Rio Olympics

The Ghana National Badminton team arrived from Mauritius on Wednesday with 6 medals comprising one silver and five bronze, won from two different championships held at the Rose Hill Sports Hall.

The team won four medals from the Rio Individual Championships and two other medals after participating in the female and male team events in the Thomas and Ubah Tournament.

The team’s technical handlers and players on Thursday presented the medals to Mr Joe Kpenge, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), who challenged them to continue working hard to ensure their participation in Rio 2016.

He said irrespective of the financial and logistical challenges facing the various federations, the NSA was working around the clock to ensure that those making the effort get the necessary support to participate in the games which will be staged in August.

“We have not been able to offer you the necessary support in recent times to motivate you for the good work you are doing for the nation. The issue is that we ourselves have not been empowered enough to do so but don’t give up, keep working hard and excel, believing that the situation will change in the shortest possible time”, he said.

The group later made a stop at the offices of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and was received by Mr Richard Akpokavie, General Secretary and his deputy, Rev. Richmond Quarcoo, who also congratulated the team and encouraged them to aspire to greater heights.

“It is important that you build upon what you have achieved now. Set targets to compete in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games ahead of you and continue to train even in difficulties because if you don’t get financial rewards today, you may benefit in something else tomorrow”, said Mr Akpokavie.