Paracyclists
Barely six months to the start of Paralympic games, Ghana’s wheelchair team could miss out if they are not able to immediately raise some much needed cash to participate in the qualifiers.
The two main wheelchair athletes, Botsyo Nkegbe and Maclean Atsu Dzidzienyo, have had a difficult time preparing for the competition and already, the Arizona Disabled Sports (AZDS) have invited the Ghanaian duo to the 2016 Desert Challenge, but financial constraint is preventing them.
Coach and captain of the national wheelchair team, Nkegbe, who disclosed the situation to the Daily Graphic in Accra, revealed that the team has now turned their attention to the public and corporate bodies to help make the trip.
He appealed to the public to assist them after attempts to seek sponsorship from the National Sports Authority became an exercise in futility.
“we need to attend the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned event to enable us to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil, in September and we need to raise $5,000 to enable us to embark on the trip.” Botsyo Nkegbe was quoted to have said.
As part of their qualification, they were also expected to travel to Switzerland for the Swiss Open, also an IPC-sanctioned competition that would help them qualify for the Paralympic Games.
“The challenge for both of us now is how to raise funds for our flight and accommodation and we would be glad if the public would come to our aid,” Nkegbe added.
