Despite being one of Ghana’s most decorated and consistent national teams, the Golden Arms—Ghana’s national armwrestling team—are staring down a major funding crisis ahead of their title defence at the 14th African Armwrestling Championship in Abuja, Nigeria.
The team, which has brought home over 350 international medals from just five continental competitions and a World Championship, finds itself struggling to raise a modest $42,000 needed to participate in the tournament scheduled for July 23–27, 2025.
President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, expressed deep frustration over the situation, pointing to the disconnect between the team’s performance and the level of institutional support it receives.
“In a country where medals are hard to come by, the Golden Arms have consistently raised the flag of Ghana. Yet, we are begging for funds to simply represent the nation again,” Mr. Osei Asibey lamented.
He explained that the amount required covers transportation, accommodation, feeding, registration, and equipment — essentials that should be standard for a team of such pedigree. He described the team’s current plight as both disappointing and demoralising, especially considering their pivotal role in boosting Ghana’s medal count at the last African Games.
“These athletes have trained tirelessly since February, putting their bodies on the line and making personal sacrifices for national pride,” he added. “We cannot continue to treat success stories this way.”
As a result, the federation has launched an urgent public appeal for support from government institutions, private entities, and well-meaning individuals. The GAF is particularly hopeful that the Ghana Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation will step in to prevent the team from missing out on this critical continental showdown.
Beyond national prestige, the tournament is also a qualifying platform for global competitions, making Ghana’s participation even more crucial for the sport’s development and international visibility.
The Golden Arms, who are defending champions, have vowed to give their best performance yet if the funding gap is bridged. Their absence, however, would not just be a missed opportunity—it would be a glaring indictment of how Ghana treats its most reliable athletes.
“Medals don’t win themselves. It’s time Ghana matched performance with proper investment,” Mr. Osei Asibey concluded.
