The west-African country of Ghana has hit back at suggestions that the nation’s cycling team was ‘skint’ and had ‘shoddy gear’ for the Commonwealth Games.
A Gold Coast newspaper has been forced to apologise after it ran an article which said the Ghana team arrived in Australia with ‘little equipment, outdated bikes, no coach and no manager’.
The international feud started after well-meaning Queensland bike owner Peter Spencer called for donations to help the team pay for uniforms and equipment during their stay in the area.
A Gold Coast newspaper has been forced to apologise after it ran an article which said the Ghana team (pictured) arrived in Australia with ‘little equipment, outdated bikes, no coach and no manager’
The west-African has hit back at suggestions that the nation’s cycling team was ‘skint’ and had ‘shoddy gear’ for the Commonwealth Games
The campaign resulted in locals and businesses alike chipping in thousands of dollars in donations to the team.
In response, the Bulletin published an article labelling the country’s team ‘skint’ and incorrectly claiming the group didn’t have a coach.
Although the article aimed to raise awareness for the ongoing campaign, Team Ghana’s management responded with outrage at suggestions the visitors were not financially equipped for the Games.
Ghana citizens back home also took offence to the article, sparking a diplomatic row between the nation and Australia.
Ghana citizens back home also took offence to the article, sparking a diplomatic row between the nation and Australia
The campaign resulted in locals and businesses alike chipping in thousands of dollars in donations to the team
The international feud started after well-meaning Queensland bike owner Peter Spencer (pictured) called for donations to help the team pay for uniforms and equipment during their stay in the area
‘We are not skint. We are paying a lot to be at this hotel. Ghana, while we are a developing country, we are not skint,’ said said Robert Sarfo-Mensah, demanding an apology.
‘The Government of Ghana has not avoided its responsibility to ensure Ghana can participate fully in these Commonwealth Games.’
Team chef de mission Mohammed Sahnoon also described Ghana as having a ‘rich culture’.
The Bulletin has since apologised for the article and any inaccurate insinuations of money problems in the west-African team.
Ghana has 72 athletes at the Commonwealth Games with participants in weightlifting, para-cycling, hockey, badminton, swimming, boxing, shooting and cycling.
‘We are not skint. We are paying a lot to be at this hotel. Ghana, while we are a developing country, we are not skint,’ said said Robert Sarfo-Mensah, demanding an apology
Ghana has 72 athletes at the Commonwealth Games with participants in weightlifting, para-cycling, hockey, badminton, swimming, boxing, shooting and cycling