A Ghanaian wheelchair basketball player at the West Africa Para-Games in Abeokuta, Bismark Kyei has cried out over what he referred to as very expensive equipment for the sport.
While emphasising the high cost of wheelchairs in particular, Kyei also told Sports247 that lack of financial support is a major challenge facing most African players in the sport.
He, however, expressed satisfaction with how Ghana’s team got to the final of the wheelchair basketball competition at the first ever para-games in West Africa and noted that there are many signs of better things to come.
Kyei affirmed, “So far, so good. For me, this is the best event in the whole of the para-games. That’s why I’m very excited to be part of it.
“I’m also very happy that Ghana qualified for the men’s final against Nigeria. This is my second time in Nigeria, but the first time the team is coming here.”
He, however, pointed out that Gateway 2025 was not smooth sailing all the way, as some hitches affected many of the teams, especially in terms of insufficient vehicles for transporting them to the venues.
He disclosed, “I can’t say the organisation has been perfect, but I will give them a pass mark. That’s what I can say in terms of arrangements for all the countries.
“I say that, because we are facing some difficulties regarding transport to the venue. We passed through a lot of stress because they provided only one bus to pack all the athletes.
“That made it disorderly, because athletes from different countries had to fight to get on the only bus, that was available,” Kyei revealed in a shaky voice.
He, however, concluded by picking positives from Ghana’s top performance in many of the events, especially wheelchair basketball, but stressed that expensive equipment is the biggest obstacle they face in the sport.
“Ghana is doing well, especially since we got to the final in wheelchair basketball. The event is also growing in Africa, but the biggest challenge we are facing is our equipment. For instance, the wheelchairs are too expensive,” Kyei moaned.
