Team Ghana to buy sports equipment for Commonwealth games in Glasgow

Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga has revealed that Ghana’s team for the Commonwealth Games will have to buy its equipment in Scotland ahead of the event which begins on the 23rd of July.

He explained that the procedure to execute the purchase of equipment delayed and the Ministry has now been forced to make funds available for the athletes to get their equipment and get ready for the event.

Addressing the contingent on Monday in Ayrshire, Scotland when he paid them a visit, the Minister explained “I can see that you are being taken care of well but as you aware, there a few issues with your equipment. When I took office as Minister, we had a problem of late procurement of the equipment. The people at the Ministry asked me to approve of the purchase from the UK to Ghana before sending them to you here in Scotland."

However, I said the team was already in the UK so there was no need in sending their equipment to Ghana first. I have arranged with the Ghana High Commission so we will transfer the moneys to them and soon, you will have the money to go and individually buy what you need from the shops here.”

It was expected, by the time of the Minister’s visit to the team, that the kits for the athletes would arrive by either Monday or Tuesday.

The Minister also revealed that monies meant for the preparation of local athletes were ready and they would be given to the athletes upon their return to Ghana after the Games, which starts on the 23rd of July and finishes on the 3rd of August.

He also urged the athletes to do their best for Ghana and try to win a few medals to make the nation proud.

Team Ghana arrives at the Commonwealth Games village in Glasgow

Ghana's Commonwealth Games Team finally landed at the Commonwealth Games Village in Glasgow on Monday after spending about four weeks in training camp in

South Ayrshire, Scotland.

Team Ghana are expected to compete in disciplines such as athletics, boxing, fencing, hockey, judo, table tennis, swimming, cycling, weightlifting among others.

Led by the Chef de Mission, Chris Essilfie, the Ghanaian contingent expressed their appreciation to their host who helped facilitate their accommodation, transportation, training facilities and feeding during their stay in an emotional farewell to the city of Ayrshire in a ceremony at Belmont Academy on Sunday. The delegation also handed out pieces of Kente cloth and 'fugu' to their host to show their appreciation

Ghana's pre Games has been described by athletes and officials as one of the best by a Ghanaian contingent to a major competition in recent memory. The Ghana Olympic Committee undertook a similar exercise when the country's team to the 2012 Olympic Game spent three weeks in Plymouth prior to the opening of the competition.