Ghana para‑athlete and Nigeria’s Olympic champion urge greater government funding for sports

Veteran Ghanaian para‑athlete Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, after competing in the men’s 1500 m T54 final at the Commonwealth Games, called on the Ghanaian government, corporate sponsors and the National Paralympic Committee to invest in athlete preparation. He argued that funding for equipment, coaching, sports science and international exposure would yield medals, noting his preference for a $9,000 preparation grant over a $1,000 post‑victory reward.

Retired Nigerian long‑jump Olympic gold‑medallist Chioma Ajunwa marked the 30‑year anniversary of her 1996 Atlanta triumph by urging Nigeria’s sports administrators and government to build a structured system that supports athletes. She highlighted the lack of facilities, funding and long‑term vision, and called for concrete action rather than symbolic gestures, recalling her own experience of limited support despite her historic win.