By Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s men’s 4×100 metres relay team has secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, but sprinter Abdul‑Rasheed Saminu has hit back at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation over what he calls unacceptable travel arrangements ahead of the World Relays in Botswana. The controversy has sparked a wider debate about athlete welfare and the logistical support given to track athletes compared with footballers such as the Black Stars.
“Running with jet lag”
In a post on X, Saminu revealed that the relay squad endured a 14‑hour flight followed by a 16‑hour layover, leaving little time to recover before competing in Gaborone. The 100m national record holder said the gruelling journey left the athletes “running with jet lag, with no proper recovery,” and questioned why logistics for athletics are not planned as early and as carefully as those for the men’s football team. “If it was the Black Stars, flight tickets would be ready months prior to their game,” he stated.
Historic qualification amid criticism
Despite the tough conditions, the relay team clocked a time of 38.09 seconds to secure automatic qualification, marking Ghana’s fourth consecutive appearance in the men’s 4×100m at the World Athletics Championships. The result is a major milestone for Ghanaian sprinting, but Saminu warned that repeated poor planning could undermine performances even when the team shows world‑class talent.
Call for better athlete support
The sprinter urged the Sports Ministry and Ghana Athletics to raise standards in travel, accommodation, and recovery for elite athletes, saying “the Ministry of Sports in Ghana needs to do better, don’t set us up for failure.” His comments resonate with long‑running calls for equal investment in athletics, especially as track and field stars continue to deliver for Ghana on the continental and global stages. As the team now eyes Beijing 2027, how the authorities respond to these concerns may shape the country’s future performances in the sprints.
