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One thing that only Ghanaians know about each other is that we often tend to be a big group of collective hypocrites. I mean, did ANY of us ever even in our wildest dreams fantasize about Ghana winning plenty gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics? NO! In the spirit of patriotism and comradeship, a few will say yes. But we aaall know deep within that it’s a no. I’m not saying we can never achieve that feat. I’m just saying that presently it’s kind of a long shot so don’t think I’m being too harsh.
Many were quick to scribble down our gargantuan and epic failure at this year’s summer Olympics. Even the popular critically acclaimed British media outlet, The Guardian, had a post titled “London 2012: Ghana's Olympic athletes come second to football and corruption.” Personally I think the corruption bit was unnecessary but I agree with what was written underneath. “But poverty is the biggest hurdle talented athletes have to overcome – lack of cash broke up their Olympic training camp.” It was written by some Afua lady… I can’t recall the surname. Go ahead, Google this article and read for yourself, because I don’t intend to iterate what was written there. My only wahala is that, after all the chaskele, piilolo, skipping rope, kpiting? and all the other hardcore outdoor games that we’ve grown accustomed to, we
haven’t managed to grab a single medal since we won bronze 20years ago, and before that it was another single bronze 20years back. We’ve had three bronze and one silver medal after 60years of Olympic participation, three of which pertained to boxing. So where was Bokum Banku and all his too-known? It’s rhetorical. I kid. Anyways Afua something-something was right (Charley I should learn her full-name), not about the corruption part, but about the lack of cash part. I honestly think the Olympics is a highly relevant and prestigious event to partake in. I little more cash pump in that direction wouldn’t hurt. But as I read and read and read about these Ghanaian Olympians, a few things become consistent. Favoritism by coaches is something they’ve been battling with for a long while now. It’s like writing an exam and knowing that you won’t be graded based on the quality of answers. You’ll stop learning. So it’s like if the coach doesn’t like you, he doesn’t choose you to compete even if you’re good. Well that sucks. Oh and also, let’s not forget that there’s a big ass Boeing 727 that has crashed into our main athletic stadium. So try training for the Olympics while looking out for falling aircrafts and tell me how it goes. Currently, we really suck at the Olympics. We shouldn’t expect any gold medals until some changes are made. The figures I found out the whole Ghanaian Olympics Squad and Committee were given is truly pathetic and will do little to train and encourage them adequately. I am 100% sure that there’s good talent out there. Anyone that knows and has seen raw talent like Kofi Tsatsu Amable perform will know what I’m talking about. The acquisition of the right trainers and equipment and some attractive incentives will surely contribute to us seeing better results next time. So let’s not blame our team too much for their little success… ok there was no success at all; they failed miserably. But let’s concentrate on what we can do to improve performance at the next 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. It all boils down to more cash input from how I see it. I’m talking just a little bit more cash; they don’t need ?pipipiiipiiipiiiiii.
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