African Games: Badminton players’ ‘pickup truck bucket’ transport was temporary, says federation boss

President of the Ghana Badminton Federation, Evans Yeboah, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding the transportation of badminton players to compete at the 2023 African Games. 

Responding to complaints raised by player Leslie Addo about the use of a pickup truck instead of the regular bus, Yeboah explained that the unconventional transport method was a result of the team’s bus breaking down.

In a 3Sports interview, Leslie Addo highlighted concerns about the mode of transport and the oversized outfits provided to the players.

“We only received rackets yesterday. Our mode of transport was dangerous.” Ghana’s badminton player Leslie Addo displeased with conditions he and his teammates have been going through at the African Games.#3SportsGH #Accra2023 pic.twitter.com/LC3uITWuIE

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) March 9, 2024

According to Yeboah, the use of the pickup truck was a temporary solution devised by the coach to ensure the players reached the competition venue on time after their regular bus encountered mechanical issues.

“On that morning, the bus that they were using had broken down on the expressway. So the coach, in his own wisdom, decided to bus them, as an interim measure, to bus them. By the end of the day, their regular bus schedule resumed and there was no problem,” Yeboah explained.

President of the Badminton Federation, Evans Yeboah says the team was transported in the BUCKET of a PICKUP truck as an INTERIM MEASURE. #3Sports https://t.co/eDNQ3dXPXg pic.twitter.com/2lKQIDal4Z

— Yaw (@theyawofosu) March 11, 2024

Yeboah reassured that steps had been taken to address the players’ concerns.

“We have also gotten the players a top psychologist to work with them and I can say that emotionally they are okay now,” he added.

Amidst the logistical challenges, all of Ghana’s badminton players exited the competition without winning any medals.

This adds to a list of complaints from Ghanaian athletes, including delays in outfit deliveries and logistical issues faced by cyclists.

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In an earlier interview with 3FM, gold medalist, Winnifred Ntumi equally revealed delay in outfit which arrived in unfavourable shape forcing her to use her own old jersey. The weightlifter however secured Ghana’s first three medals.

The Local Organizing Committee had reportedly secured over 336 vehicles to cater to transportation needs during the games.

However, athletes continue to voice concerns about the overall preparedness and support provided for their respective events.

Ghana, however, has scooped secured four medals so far including one gold and three silver medals.