Team Ghana stranded in Brazzaville

Ghana's contingent to this year's All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, have been left stranded following the organisers' refusal to give them accommodation at the Games Village due to the non-payment of fees.

A 350-member contingent arrived in Brazzaville late last Sunday but was forced to sleep in the open because issues with their accommodation had not been sorted out, despite sending an advance party to see to such arrangements.

Team Ghana is made up of a 15-event team consisting the male and female football, athletics, weightlifting, boxing, badminton, beach volleyball, cycling, judo, taekwondo, swimming, indoor volleyball, fencing, tennis, table tennis and disabled sports.

Officials of the female football team, the Black Queens, told the Daily Graphic that they were refused accommodation on their arrival because it had not been paid for.

"When we arrived, we were told that we could not have access to their rooms because there was reportedly no lights.

"In the morning, we asked to be showed our rooms but we were told that we could be not allowed in because it had not been paid for. Unfortunately, as we speak, it's like everyone has been left on his or her own. No one is telling us anything," an official said in a telephone interview.

She further said making any alternative arrangement was beyond the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as this was directly the responsibility of the NSA or the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

While they try to resolve the issue, team officials were worried that it could affect the Queens and the Black Meteors especially who begin their campaign on Sunday.

The Meteors begin their title defence against Senegal, while the Queens play their first game on September 10, following the withdrawal of Egypt from the competition. The Queens were to play the Egyptians on Monday, September 7.

The opening ceremony for the 50th edition of the September 4-19 edition of the Games will be held on Friday.

Efforts to reach the Chef du Mission of Team Ghana, Mr Saka Acquaye was not successful, neither was any senior official at the National Sports Authority (NSA) ready to talk to the Daily Graphic on the issue.