The Ministry of Sports and Recreation says it is surprised by claims that Spintex Knights are stranded in Libya over an estimated $33,000 in outstanding flight costs.
Personal Assistant to the Sports Minister, Wonder Mandel, says the club was expected to cover its expenses in Libya after giving the Ministry short notice to provide financial support.
Speaking to Citi Sports on October 26, 2026, Mr Mandel said the Ghana Basketball Federation submitted a request for financial assistance for the team on September 30, but the Ministry received the letter on October 10, just 11 days before the tournament began.
“I was actually surprised and shocked when I started seeing these news items from yesterday in the morning that they were stranded at the airport,” he said.
Mr Mandel explained that the club’s chief executive had indicated that its expenses for the Libya competition were covered, with support needed for the Elite 16 stage and the subsequent phase of the competition next year.
“The CEO of Spintex Knights made the indication that they have the Libya competition covered… and they will need our help going into the Elite 16 and the bout itself next year, which the minister actually requested that they should always make sure they submit their request on time,” he added.
Spintex Knights, Ghana’s representatives in the Basketball Africa League qualifiers, won all three of their Group B games in the Division West preliminary stage to qualify for the Elite 16.
Story by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
