Ghana’s Men’s 4x100m Relay Team Secures Historic Fourth Consecutive World Championship Qualification Amid Logistical Hurdles

Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team has secured its place at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Beijing, marking a historic fourth consecutive qualification for the nation. Despite a rocky start at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana, the quartet—comprised of Joseph Paul Amoah, Benjamin Azamati, Abdul Rasheed Saminu, and Edwin Gadayi—delivered a resilient performance in the repechage round. Finishing second behind China with a time of 38.09 seconds, the team successfully bounced back from an initial setback to join the world's elite in China.

The journey to qualification required significant tactical adjustments after a disappointing opening day. In the first round, the team finished fourth in their heat with a time of 38.19 seconds, failing to secure an automatic spot due to baton exchange issues. Former national coach Elorm Amenakpor had earlier rallied the team, stressing that they could not afford to miss the global showpiece. Responding to the pressure, the technical team repositioned Edwin Gadayi to the opening leg and moved national 100m record holder Abdul Rasheed Saminu to the anchor leg. This strategic shift proved effective, as the team executed a cleaner race to clinch the final automatic qualification spot.

However, the celebration was tempered by sharp criticism from the athletes regarding their travel and preparation. Sprinters Benjamin Azamati and Abdul Rasheed Saminu slammed the Ministry of Youth and Sports for what they described as inadequate logistical support. Saminu detailed a grueling journey involving a 14-hour flight and a 16-hour layover, while Azamati pointed out that the team arrived only one day before the competition, leaving no time for acclimatization. The athletes compared their treatment unfavorably to that of the national football team, the Black Stars, calling for more professional handling of elite track and field athletes to ensure peak performance.

Looking ahead, the relay team will turn its attention to the African Athletics Championships, which Ghana is set to host in Accra from May 12 to 17. This prestigious event, the 24th edition of the championships, is expected to feature over 1,000 athletes, including world-class stars such as Nigerian 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan and Zambian 400m Olympian Muzala Samukonga. The home tournament serves as a critical opportunity for the Ghanaian relay team to refine their coordination and build momentum before heading to the World Championships in Beijing.