Ghana’s Paracycling Team Disappears After Landing In Norway; Coach Collapses And Dies
In a surprising turn of events, a Ghanaian paracycling team has gone missing after arriving in Norway earlier this year to prepare for the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon. The 11-member team, which failed to register and participate in the marathon scheduled for late April, has absconded to various Schengen states.
According to a document released by the National Security Authority on July 3, 2024, Nana Antwi, a member of the team, was apprehended and detained by Norwegian security officials in late April after attempting to travel to Sweden. The document also revealed that George Gyamfi Gyasi, the team coach, collapsed and was admitted to Oslo University Hospital, where he subsequently passed away on May 17, 2024.
In response to these developments, the Norwegian embassy in Accra has issued alerts to other Schengen and West Diplomatic Missions in Accra to assist in apprehending and repatriating the team members. The search for the absconded athletes is currently ongoing.
The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana has officially disassociated itself from the group and has suspended Mr. Theodore Mawuli Viwotor, Mr. Ernest Yaw Ayisi, and the Enestay Foundation indefinitely due to their involvement in the matter. The Committee emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity and reputation of Ghanaian sports on the international stage.
This incident has raised concerns over the protocols and vetting processes for athletes participating in international competitions, highlighting the need for stricter measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.