The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has attributed the financial difficulties facing Spintex Knights in Libya to what it describes as a late request for government assistance, insisting that the club was expected to cover its expenses for the competition.
Wonder Mandel, Personal Assistant to the Sports Minister, said the Ministry received a request for financial support from the Ghana Basketball Federation on October 10, despite the letter being dated September 30.
Speaking to Citi Sports on October 26, 2026, Mr Mandel said the request reached the Ministry just 11 days before the tournament began, leaving limited time to make the necessary arrangements.
He expressed surprise at reports that the Ghanaian basketball club had become stranded in Libya over outstanding flight costs estimated at $33,000.
“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 previously indicated that Spintex Knights had secured funding to cover its participation in the Libya competition.
According to him, the club had indicated that government support would be needed for the Elite 16 stage and the subsequent phase of the competition scheduled for 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.
The Ministry’s position comes amid concerns over the reported $33,000 in outstanding flight costs and the club’s situation in Libya.
Spintex Knights are representing Ghana in the Basketball Africa League qualifiers and have performed strongly in the Division West preliminary stage.
The team won all three of its Group B matches to secure qualification for the Elite 16, advancing its campaign in the continental competition.
However, the Ministry’s explanation has placed the timing of the funding request and the club’s earlier financial arrangements at the centre of the controversy.
