Margaret Simpson quits Ghana; hints of plans to compete for Mauritius

Ghanaian heptathlete, Margaret Simpson has finally decided to quit Ghana and compete instead for Mauritius.

The 3-time Africa Athletics championship gold medalist has for several years threatened to stop giving her services to her home country accusing the nation’s athletics administrators of frustrating her efforts and underpaying her.

Speaking to Accra-based Happy FM Wednesday, Simpson said, “they owe me monies they have not paid…”

Simpson was talking to both Mauritius and Italy. The two countries, she said, had approached her and expressed interest in using her services.

But her decision to join Mauritius was mainly informed by her familiarity with that country’s terrain, she indicated.

“Don’t be surprised if you see me running for Mauritius in the game. It’s the side I chose.”

She said she had lived in that country for 12 years which makes it easier for her to naturalize.

“…Everybody knows me in that country so it will be better since my coach whom I have worked with since 2000 knows my program and everything,” she added.

There is a precedent to Simpson’s move.

A few years ago, Ignatius Gaisah, a Ghanaian long jumper switched nationalities and has been competing for Holland since last year.