GOC Invests Nearly $800k in Athlete and Federation Development Since 2021

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has invested close to $800,000 in financial support for federations and athletes since 2021, according to official documents obtained by JoySports.

This investment aims to foster the growth of sports in Ghana, enhancing preparations for major competitions, improving training programs, and supporting athlete development at various levels.

In 2021 alone, the GOC allocated over $54,000 in grants to support multiple federations. Athletics received the highest share, with $14,000 directed towards the federation through the ANOC Special Grant.

Boxing followed closely with $12,760, while swimming and volleyball received more than $5,000 each. Other federations such as badminton, judo, and karate-do were also beneficiaries of the GOC’s generous funding.

Additionally, the GOC provided direct financial aid to individual athletes through the Olympic Solidarity (OS) Scholarships.

Notable athletes, including Carlos Maedar (Alpine Skiing) and Frimpong Akwasi (Skeleton), received substantial support, with Maedar receiving $12,000 and Akwasi $30,000.

Ghanaian track and field stars Joseph Amoah and Janet Amponsah each benefited from $5,000 to support their training. In total, 15 athletes received $104,500 in 2021 alone.

In the following year, the GOC increased its disbursement to federations, allocating $131,360 in grants.

While the focus shifted somewhat towards team sports, athletics, boxing, and swimming still saw significant funding, with swimming topping the list at $17,250 due to a youth development grant.

Other sports like table tennis, judo, and tennis also saw notable investments, with $12,250, $11,830, and $16,000 allocated to their development.

By 2023, the GOC had targeted specific areas such as technical coaching and team sports, with boxing receiving $13,000 and football $31,300 in team grants.

Notable investments also went to volleyball ($18,342) and fencing ($10,000), with the total support to federations reaching $139,937.

Individual athletes continued to benefit from OS Scholarships, with about $96,000 allocated to athletes like Deborah Acquah and Benjamin Azamati, each receiving $9,000.

Last year marked the highest investment to date, with $173,962 in grants provided for Africa Games preparations and technical coaching.

Disciplines like athletics, badminton, and swimming each received $14,640, and rowing and canoeing were allocated a combined $22,000.

Scholarships for individual athletes amounted to $72,000, supporting rising stars like Joseph Commey (Boxing) and Winifred Ntumi (Weightlifting), who each received $6,000.

The GOC’s consistent financial support has played a crucial role in preparing Ghanaian athletes for international competitions, providing them with better resources, enhanced training opportunities, and the confidence to compete at the highest levels.

With this backing, Ghana continues to strengthen its presence on the global sports stage.