Ghana Athletics has issued a formal written clarification to address what it describes as inaccurate reporting following the circulation of comments made by a federation official.
The statement, signed by Charles Osei Asibey on behalf of the federation, sets out the technical and administrative facts governing the use of athlete equipment at the competition in question, and draws a clear line of responsibility around the incident that occurred.
The federation’s intervention comes in the wake of widespread public and media interest in the circumstances surrounding a competition accident. According to the statement, the purpose of the original radio interview had been to outline the standard protocols already in place not to deflect accountability and the written clarification is intended to formalise those facts for the record.
At the centre of the clarification is the right of athletes to compete using their own personal equipment. Ghana Athletics states that this is a standard practice under international sporting regulations, allowing competitors to use tools with which they are familiar, provided the equipment meets the required technical specifications. The federation confirms that the athletes involved in the competition exercised this right.
No piece of equipment is allowed onto the field of play without rigorous inspection.”Charles Osei Asibey, Ghana Athletics
On the question of equipment safety, the federation is emphatic: all equipment used in the competition including the vault at the centre of the incident underwent mandatory certification by the International Technical Officials (ITOs) prior to the start of the championship. Ghana Athletics states that its checks confirm the vault was inspected, verified, and formally cleared for use by these officials, who represent the highest technical authority within the competition structure.
Key Facts: Equipment and Safety Protocol
Athletes are permitted under international regulations to use personal equipment in competition, subject to technical compliance.
The vault in question was inspected, verified, and cleared by the International Technical Officials (ITOs) prior to competition.
The ITOs constitute the highest technical authority on equipment at any certified championship.
Ghana Athletics and the LOC fulfilled their regulatory obligations by providing a sanctioned platform and ensuring ITO verification.
The federation maintains that the incident cannot be attributed to Ghana Athletics or the Local Organising Committee.
Regarding the incident itself, Ghana Athletics expresses regret while maintaining a firm position on the question of liability. The statement notes that because the athletes supplied their own equipment and the ITOs duly certified it, the Local Organising Committee discharged its responsibilities under the applicable regulations.
The role of the LOC and the federation, the statement clarifies, is to provide a sanctioned competition platform and to ensure that the appropriate technical officials verify the safety of both the environment and the equipment, a standard that, the federation asserts, was met.
The responsibility of the LOC and the federation is to provide a sanctioned platform and ensure that officials verify the safety of the environment and tools,” the statement reads. “Since the athletes provided their own equipment and the ITOs the highest technical authority in the competition certified said equipment, the organisers fulfilled all regulatory obligations.”
Ghana Athletics reaffirms its commitment to athlete safety and well-being while calling on the media and the public to rely on the verified facts presented rather than circulating misinformation. The federation urges all stakeholders to engage with the technical procedures and administrative responsibilities as they have been formally described.
Source: Charles Osei Asibey
Ghana Athletics Association