Benjamin Azamati Urges Government to Provide Support for Athletes

Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has emphasized the need for greater support for athletes transitioning from college to professional competitions, highlighting how a lack of assistance hindered his performance at the Olympics.

Azamati comments underscore the need for a structured support system to help Ghanaian athletes remain competitive globally.

Speaking to TV3, Azamati reflected on his personal experience ahead of his first Olympic Games, where his form was affected by limited opportunities to compete.

“Before my first Olympics, when I ran 9.97, I had to sit out for about a month before competing. If there had been support, I could have gone to Europe to compete because I was in great form. Unfortunately, none of that support came,” he revealed.

“I had to train on my own and ended up running my worst time of the season at the Olympics. Supporting athletes after college isn’t just about giving them money for food; it’s about facilitating their participation in competitions to stay in shape and build confidence before major tournaments,” he said.

Azamati stressed that without this crucial backing, many athletes will struggle to replicate their college success on the international stage.

“Without that, we’ll continue to see athletes perform well in college but struggle in international events,” he concluded.