Veep fingers poor preparations for All Africa Games output

Accra, Sept. 21, GNA - Vice President John Mahama has fingered poor preparations for the nation's modest performance at the just ended 2011 A= ll Africa Games.

Ghana bagged a modest 19 medals and finished 12th at the 10th edition of the multisport event held from 3-18 September, 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique.

Despite the performance being an improvement of 14th position at the previous edition in Algeria four years ago, Vice President Mahama said the Ghanaian delegation could have done better with much preparation. South Africa topped the medal table with 168 medals, 68 medals for Egypt and 98 medals for Nigeria in that order.

Speaking at the Silver Jubilee edition of the Accra Milo Marathon on Wednesday, the Vice President said the performance of the Ghana team was a true reflection of inadequate preparations for a major competition. He mentioned the National Unity Games held in July as the only form of preparation for the team, describing it as insufficient to win medals at events of the calibre as All Africa Games.

The Vice President said the nation abound in talents in various sporting disciplines, who could lift high the flag of the country at major international events given adequate preparations. He, therefore, tasked authorities to ensure enough preparations ahead of major competition in future.

Ghana won four gold medals, six silver medals and nine bronze medals.