Vice President of the Ghana Athletics Association and Executive Board member of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Charles Osei Asibey, has defended Team Ghana’s performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, urging Ghanaians to support rather than criticize the athletes following the country’s modest medal return.
Ghana concluded the Games with two medals, comprising one silver and one bronze, finishing 30th on the overall medal table among more than 80 participating nations. The total was three fewer than the five medals won at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Despite the drop in the medal tally, Osei Asibey believes it would be unfair to describe the campaign as a failure, insisting the athletes performed creditably under challenging circumstances.
Speaking on the team’s overall performance, he said the athletes deserved encouragement because they possess the talent to achieve even greater success if given the necessary support and opportunities.
He acknowledged that Team Ghana had travelled to Glasgow with hopes of winning more medals but explained that changing circumstances during the competition ultimately affected the team’s performance.
Osei Asibey Rejects Failure Narrative
According to Osei Asibey, Ghana’s position on the medal table should be viewed within the wider context of the competition rather than judged solely by the number of medals won.
Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Africa Armwrestling Federation and Vice President of the World Armwrestling Federation
“It will be unfair to say the team failed,” he maintained, pointing to Ghana’s 30th-place finish among over 80 competing nations as evidence that the country’s athletes remained competitive on the international stage.
His comments come at a time when the team’s performance has sparked debate over the direction of Ghanaian sport beyond football.
While many expected a stronger medal haul after recent investments in selected disciplines, the final outcome has renewed calls for a more structured approach to athlete development.
Osei Asibey argued that success at major multi-sport events cannot be measured only by podium finishes, stressing that athletes who qualify for such competitions have already demonstrated significant quality.
