The President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), Mr Charles Osei Asibey, has made an urgent appeal to corporate institutions, the public, and the state to help raise $42,000 to enable the national armwrestling team, the Golden Arms, to participate in the upcoming 14th African Armwrestling Championship in Abuja, Nigeria.

Scheduled for July 23 to 27 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, the continental competition will bring together over 400 top armwrestlers from more than 20 African countries. Ghana, the defending champions, hopes to field a team of 20 athletes and four officials at the event, which will determine the continent’s best in various categories.

Mr Osei Asibey, who also serves as President of the Africa Armwrestling Federation, expressed frustration over the federation’s financial struggles despite the team’s consistent success over the years.

“The Golden Arms, arguably the most consistent team in Ghana and Africa, deserves better,” he said. “We have won a total of 350 international medals in just five African championships and a World Championship, and yet we continue to struggle for basic support.”

The estimated budget of $42,000 is expected to cover the team’s transportation, feeding, accommodation, equipment, competition fees and other logistical requirements. Mr Osei Asibey noted that while the federation acknowledges the difficult economic climate, there must be a way to support a team that has continually brought honour to the country.

“We admit it is not smooth economically but there should be a way. The team requires about $42,000 to cater for essential expenses,” he said. “It is a challenging situation and we at the Ghana Armwrestling Federation are calling on Ghanaians, corporate organisations, and government agencies to contribute to our tireless effort to ensure we compete and win.”

In addition to corporate and individual support, the GAF is hopeful of receiving financial assistance from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Ghana Olympic Committee. The team has been training intensively since February and is confident of an excellent showing in Abuja if the necessary funding is secured.

The Golden Arms made history by playing a critical role in Ghana’s medal haul at the last African Games, yet Mr Osei Asibey laments that the team has “nothing to boast of” in terms of tangible recognition or state support.

With a few weeks to the championship, the GAF has launched a campaign to rally public and private sector backing to ensure the team not only makes it to Nigeria but returns with medals to further cement Ghana’s growing reputation in global armwrestling.

“We are committed to helping the Golden Arms achieve their goals,” Mr Osei Asibey affirmed. “But we cannot do it alone. We need the support of every Ghanaian to make this dream possible.”