Kofi Adams rejects claims of poor feeding at African Senior Athletics Championships

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has dismissed claims by a South African athlete that competitors faced poor living conditions and food rationing during the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra.

Speaking to the media after appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Monday, May 18, the Minister said athletes were adequately catered for throughout the competition.

His comments follow complaints by South African shot put athlete Aiden Smith, who alleged that athletes were served limited food portions and housed under poor conditions during the championship held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

“Food was one of the things the LOC handled very well. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served on time, and there was always enough food,” he said.

Mr. Adams also rejected claims that athletes were limited in what they could eat.

“There was no provision asking athletes to survive on nine eggs. No federation informed the LOC that they were bringing athletes with special dietary needs, so no special arrangements were requested,” he explained.

He added that concerns about the spicy nature of local meals were never officially raised with the Local Organising Committee by any participating federation.

The 24th African Senior Athletics Championships ended on Sunday, May 17, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, with athletes from across the continent competing in track and field events over six days.

🎥 🇬🇭 “There was absolutely nothing wrong with feeding. We did not make any provisions for any athlete to be fed with nine eggs.”

“That’s the problem I have with the media.”— Sports Minister Kofi Adams on the African Athletics Championships.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/zMBhmDoXpN

— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 18, 2026