Ghana is a notable absentee at the maiden African Youth Athletics Championship scheduled for March 27-31 in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
The five-day event under the auspices of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) is the latest on the calendar of the continental body and targeted at athletes between the ages of 16-17 years, but the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) has declined participation at least for now.
The deadline for the confirmation of countries was March 4, and with Ghana conspicuously missing
Sources hinted that the Ghana National Sports Commission did not provide funding for the competition.
“Our concentration is to prepare very well for the African Junior Athletics Championship as our aim is to get athletes who will mature and be in their prime for the 2016 Olympic Games where we are hoping to make a huge impact,” said Bawa Fuseini Ghana Athletics Association secretary-general.
On the African Youth Athletics Championship, he reminded that Ghana may participate in future events, in line with their objective of building a solid rock team at all levels.
Meanwhile, countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa have confirmed their participation alongside hosts Nigeria.