Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has issued a statement seeking to calm tensions after a public dispute with Ghana Ministry of Sports and Recreation over preparations for the national 4x100m relay team.
The statement, released by Sports & Business Transformation Ltd., follows criticism from the athlete regarding travel arrangements ahead of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.
Saminu had expressed frustration about what he described as inadequate logistical planning, raising concerns about the impact on performance.
🎥 🇬🇠Ghana’s 4x100m relay team, Rasheed Saminu, Benjamin Azamati, Joe Paul, and Edwin Gadayi, celebrating after securing qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/cD0HqKCB53
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 3, 2026
In earlier remarks posted on social media, he said the team endured a 14-hour flight followed by a 16-hour layover, arriving just a day before competition. He also drew comparisons with the treatment of the national football team, stating: “If it was the ‘Black Stars’, flight tickets would be ready months prior to their game”.
Saminu warned that such conditions could undermine the team’s preparation, adding that competing with jet lag and limited recovery time risked affecting performance.
However, in the newly released statement, the athlete sought to clarify his position and emphasised that his comments were motivated by a desire to improve conditions for Ghanaian athletes.
The statement said his concerns were “driven by a deep love for Ghana” and aimed at enhancing preparation processes to achieve better results in international competitions.
🎥 🇬🇠Ghana’s 4x100m relay team secure qualification for 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
Ghana finish 2nd in Heat 1 with 38.09s to secure 2027 World Championships qualification. 🎉 #CitiSports pic.twitter.com/KYHaihGZbD
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 3, 2026
It also acknowledged that the manner in which the concerns were communicated did not fully reflect his original intent, noting that the issues have since been “positively and effectively addressed by the appropriate authorities”.
The statement further referred to a confrontational exchange with media personnel, describing it as resulting in “unintended responses”. It added that Saminu had since clarified his remarks to relevant stakeholders, stressing his commitment to contributing to “a healthy and supportive sports ecosystem”.
The dispute arose shortly after Ghana’s 4x100m relay team secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, a significant achievement for the country’s athletics programme.
Despite the earlier tensions, the latest statement adopts a conciliatory tone, calling on the public and stakeholders to support the athlete as he prepares for upcoming competitions, including his first appearance at a home event.
Saminu also expressed appreciation for the support of Ghanaians ahead of the African Senior Athletics Championship, underlining his focus on representing the country positively.
The development marks a shift from criticism to reconciliation, with both the athlete and authorities appearing to move towards resolving the issues raised. As preparations continue, attention is expected to turn back to performance on the track and Ghana’s prospects in future competitions.
