THE Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) is seriously considering offering medical insurance to its athletes soon.
This came to light when a five-member executive of the GWF spearheaded by its new president Jerry Ahmed Shaib, paid a working visit to the lifters at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday - and also took the opportunity to strike an acquaintance.
During a brief interface after watching the lifters participate in the second of their grilling domestic trials, Mr Shaib promised among others, to put them on medical insurance.
"We're seriously looking at putting you on a medical insurance; talking about the committed ones among you, so that you'll be covered during competitions.
"This insurance isn't for those who come to training today and don't show up for the next 20 to 30 days," said, Mr Shaib, who succeeded Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, warning that such athletes would have their names expunged from the list.
Mr Shaib, who doubles as CEO of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), also guaranteed that the GWF was going to take delivery of gym equipment by the end of the week.
The training equipment arrived at the Tema port some four months ago.
The GWF boss announced that plans were afoot to give the lifters some training allowance, insisting again that only committed athletes would benefit from the package.
It was also disclosed that lifters with the requisite qualifications would be enrolled into the military and other security services.
Other GWF executives present were Messrs Ben Addy (secretary general), Gideon Sackey (treasurer) Mrs Edith Agyepong (deputy treasurer) and Joe Sintim Aboagye (board member).
The weightlifting team is training inexhaustibly ahead of some domestic and international competitions under the tutelage of head coach Michael Abotsie.
Weightlifting produced eight of the 13 medals clinched by Ghana at the 12th African Games held in Rabat, Morocco, 2019.
CAPTION:
Mr Shaib (second right) addressing some of the lifters and their coaches, whilst Madam Edith (right), and others look on
By John Vigah
