Ghana’s participation in the ongoing 31st Olympics is said to be hovering around $750,000 after initial estimates had pegged it at $650,000.

According to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye the full cost involved in catering for the nation’s contingent at the games including the bonuses and other allowances amount to nearly $750,000.

Sixteen athletes are in Brazil’s city of Rio de Janiero for the games.

They include Beatrice Gyaman (4 X 100 metres) Emmanuel Dasor (200 metres), Gemma Acheampong (4 x 100 metres), Flings Owusu-Agyapong (4x100 metres and 100 metres ), Sean Sarfo-Antwi (100 metres) ,John Ampomah (Javelin), Alex Amankwah (800metres) and Janet Amponsah (200 metres and 4 x 100m)

The rest are Dorcas Gyimah (4 x100metres) Abeiku Gyekye Jackson (50metres freestyle), Abdul Omar Wahid (boxing , bantamweight), Szandra Szogedi ( judo, 63 kilogramme), Kaya Adwoa Forson (200 metres freestyle) ands Christian Amoah (85 kilogramme).

He disclosed that apart from the $120,000 sponsorship package offered by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation(GNPC), the biggest support for Ghana’s Olympic contingent so far, other corporate organisations were responding positively in that direction.

“We are positive that a considerable part of the cost of Ghana’s participation to this year’s Olympics will come from our corporate organisations.

However, he said the government within the current constraints would shoulder the rest of the burden.

Earlier the Chef de Mission of Ghana for the Games, Chris Essilfie, indicated that athletes who won gold would be rewarded with $10,000, $7,000 and $5,000 respectively going to silver and bronze medallists.

Source: graphiconline