The EEZZY Group Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Ghanaian sports by announcing a landmark GH¢800,000 sponsorship package to support Team Ghana’s preparations for and participation in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The announcement, made during the Foundation’s official unveiling ceremony under the theme “Backing Champions. Building National Pride.”, marks one of the most significant private-sector investments in Team Ghana’s campaign and signals growing corporate confidence in the country’s sporting future.
The sponsorship will support Team Ghana’s international pre-camp preparations, athlete readiness and final build-up to the Games, while encouraging other corporate institutions to join the national effort.
Addressing athletes, sports administrators, government officials, corporate leaders and the media, the President of the African Paralympic Committee and the Ghana Paralympic Committee, Mr Samson Deen, delivered a passionate address that went beyond expressing appreciation for the sponsorship. He challenged Ghana’s sporting fraternity to embrace discipline, institutional leadership and unity as the foundation for attracting sustainable investment into sports.
Mr Deen stressed that corporate organisations are willing to support sports, but only when they see professionalism, transparency and coordinated leadership.
“How do you expect a sponsor to carry money and dump the money into confusion? It’s not possible,” he said.
He explained that sponsorship is earned through credible governance, accountability and trust, rather than emotional appeals or fragmented fundraising efforts.
According to him, sports institutions must become dependable organisations capable of managing resources responsibly if they expect long-term corporate partnerships.
Reflecting on reforms introduced after assuming office as President of the Ghana Paralympic Committee in 2019, Mr Deen disclosed that one of his earliest decisions was to prohibit athletes from publicly soliciting financial support through radio interviews, letters or individual appeals.
He recalled instructing athletes that fundraising was the responsibility of the institution, not individual competitors.
“I told my athletes, if I am the President, you cannot seek support on radio. You cannot write letters asking for support. If I see your letter, I will stop it,” he said.
He explained that the decision was intended to eliminate the damaging perception that Paralympians were beggars and instead position the movement as a respected national institution worthy of investment.
Today, he said, official requests from the Paralympic Committee receive greater respect because they are presented through established institutional structures rather than individual appeals.
Mr Deen urged all sporting disciplines, including athletics, swimming, para sports and every national federation—to work together under a shared vision.
He emphasised that internal divisions weaken the sector and discourage investment, while unity strengthens the ability to advocate for athletes and influence national policy.
“Sports is a family. If you are a sports person, we are one family. Let us come together. Let us stop destroying ourselves,” he said.
He also reminded stakeholders that genuine transformation requires decisive action rather than slogans.
“It’s not by the words, ‘Reset, Reset.’ No. It is by action,” he stated.
Drawing on his experience during the organisation of the African Games, Mr Deen acknowledged the enormous financial and operational pressures encountered, including exchange rate volatility, funding shortages and logistical challenges.
Despite these obstacles, he praised the dedication of officials and volunteers who sacrificed personal resources to ensure the successful delivery of the Games.
He paid particular tribute to individuals who invested their own funds to resolve urgent operational challenges, describing such acts as examples of true leadership and commitment to national service.
He further revealed that although robust disagreements often occurred behind closed doors, leaders maintained unity publicly in the interest of Ghanaian sports.
“Inside the room we fought. But when we came outside, we led together and cleaned the mess,” he said.
The EEZZY Group Foundation’s GH¢800,000 sponsorship has been widely welcomed as a demonstration of how strategic partnerships between corporate Ghana and the sporting community can create lasting national impact.
The Foundation’s support is expected to strengthen Team Ghana’s preparations for Glasgow 2026 while inspiring additional private-sector investment in sports development.
Stakeholders described the initiative as more than a financial contribution, calling it a vote of confidence in Ghana’s athletes and an investment in national pride.
As Team Ghana intensifies preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Mr Deen’s message resonated throughout the ceremony: sustainable success in sports will be achieved not only through funding, but also through disciplined leadership, institutional credibility, unity and collective responsibility.
With the EEZZY Group Foundation taking the lead, the event concluded with a renewed call for government, corporate Ghana and all sports stakeholders to unite behind Team Ghana and help build a stronger, more respected and globally competitive sporting nation.
