The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, says the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on Ghanaian athletes may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
He says that athletes would now have ample time to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which has been scheduled for next year.
The Olympic Games was postponed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to the coronavirus pandemic which has affected all sectors of the economy and human life globally.
As one of the countries to participate in the tournament, Ghana had only four athletes to have qualified for the Games. Other athletes yet to secure a spot at the Games were set to compete in qualifying tournaments in order to book a spot.
Despite the havoc created by the pandemic, Mr Nunoo Mensah is of the view that Ghanaian athletes should take the positives born out of this.
He stated that the postponement of the Olympic Games has given athletes ample time to prepare well for the Games as well as compete in qualifying tournaments.
Speaking via Zoom on Happy FM to discuss the effects of the Covid-19 on Ghana’s Sports industry, he said, “It’s kind of a blessing to our Ghanaian athletes in terms of preparation. It may also be a curse if we wait till the last minute before we begin preparation too.”
“Athletes preparing for the Games were supposed to perform at their peak by the time the Games were in session per their training regimes. Athletes may be affected as a result but they can re-adjust and prepare ahead of the Games,” he added.
Athletes that have qualified for the Tokyo Games which has been rescheduled for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic are Nadia Eke (triple jump), Joseph Paul Amoah (sprinter), Samuel Takyie (boxer), Sulemana Tetteh (boxer).
The new dates for the Olympic Games are from July 23, 2021 to August 8, 2021.