Executive Assistant to Sports Minister clarifies 'misleading' reports about meeting with Black Challenge

Jamaludeen A. Abdullah, the Executive Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports, has refuted what he considers to be misleading reports regarding comments made by the minister during a meeting with the players and officials of the national amputee football team.

In a statement issued on Friday, June 14, 2024, Jamaludeen sought to clarify the misreports, explaining that the minister did not disrespect the players and officials as widely perceived.

Jamaludeen clarified that Mustapha Ussif did not discourage the Black Challenge from receiving donations but rather encouraged them to act in accordance with the provisions of the Sports Act of 2016.

Read his statement below

Statement on Misleading Reports Regarding Sports Minister's Meeting with Black Challenge

I wish to address the recent misleading reports concerning comments made by the Honorable Minister of Sports, Mustapha Ussif.

My aim is to clarify these misunderstandings.

Firstly, the Minister emphasized that any national team, including the Ghana Amputee Football Team, should primarily liaise with the Ministry on any subject matter. This approach is both administratively and traditionally appropriate.

Secondly, the Honorable Minister did not state that national teams should not receive donations, nor did he express any dissatisfaction with the donations received by the Black Challenge.

Instead, referencing the Sports Act of 2016 (Act 934, Section 18), the Minister said, "I've asked the President of the Ghana Para Team, we've seen that you've received a lot of donations, which is good for us; you should account for it."

I wish to affirm that the government, through the Ministry, has provided and will continue to provide the necessary support for all national teams.

The Ministry remains committed to ensuring transparency in all its dealings with sports federations.

A video of the Minister's statement is attached for your reference.

Signed,

Jamaludeen A. Abdullah

Executive Assistant