‘Martha Bissah is going to AAG as an observer’

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Vincent Oppong Asamoah says it is untrue that his ministry is imposing 800m runner Martha Bissah on the Ghana Athletics Association ahead of the All African Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

The ministry has come under intense pressure after it emerged that they intend to send the Junior Youth Olympian to the 2015 All African Games despite failing to make the qualification mark.

But speaking to Accra based Joy FM, Deputy Sports Minster, Oppong Asamoah, says there is a deliberate attempt to distort the good intentions of the ministry.

“It is not true that we are taking Martha to the Games to compete. We are rather taking her as an observer so she can learn and appreciate the kind of sacrifices that she needs to make in order to succeed at the top level.

“Unfortunately, some people are not happy with the girl and are bent on destroying her. It is those people who are distorting the facts to pitch the ministry against the public. It is unfortunate.

“This girl has a lot of potential and it behooves all of us to help her realize her dreams and not kill it.”

Bissah failed to qualify for the Games after recording 2:11.84 min at the just ended GAA Special All Africa Games qualifier at the El Wak stadium last Friday.

Bissah had run a season’s best 2.08.27m on 18-July going into the special competition at the El Wak stadium and needed to run at least the B-standard time of 2:04.6 to qualify.