“I Spent GHC 90,000 from My Pocket”—GWF President Calls for Better Support for Weightlifting
President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF), Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has made a passionate appeal for greater support for weightlifting in Ghana, revealing he personally financed the purchase and clearance of essential equipment due to a lack of institutional backing.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Sportsnite Show, Hon. Shaib expressed frustration over the Federation’s long-standing financial struggles.
“Funding remains the biggest challenge facing the Weightlifting Federation. I personally funded the purchase of weightlifting equipment from my own pocket. No one from the NSA or the Ministry supported this,” he stated.
He further disclosed the personal cost of importing equipment.
“I spent nearly GHC 90,000 on demur-rage and other expenses at the port just to ensure our athletes have the tools they need,” he said.
Hon. Shaib called for a new approach to sports funding in Ghana, noting that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation’s budget alone is not sufficient.
“The Ministry’s funding is limited. Every federation should seek private sponsorship and collaborate with businesses for branding and support,” he advised.
Reflecting on past government involvement, he acknowledged: “The only time we received support was during a tournament in Uzbekistan, under former Minister of Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif.”
He stressed the importance of regular international exposure for Ghana’s weightlifters.
“We need more international competitions. It boosts the confidence of our athletes and promotes Ghana on the global stage,” he emphasized.
The GWF President, who is also the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, reaffirmed his commitment to developing weightlifting across the country despite the challenges.
By: James Asiamah Mante
