Ghanaian weightlifter Winnifred Ntumi who participated in the just ended African Games has disclosed that she has not received bonuses owed to her by the Sports Ministry.
Ntumi highlighted that she is among several athletes awaiting their bonuses, including all those who secured medals at the 2023 African Games.
Speaking on Happy FM, she expressed frustration over the Sports Ministry’s lack of communication and refusal to address the issue of outstanding bonuses with the affected athletes.
“I’ve not received the money yet. We (all the disciplines) have not heard from them up until now. Sometimes, when I call, they don’t even pick up. It is with the minister (Mustapha Ussif) and we’ve not heard from him,” he said.
He pointed out that, unlike the frustrating situation she is in now, she was fully paid after winning medals in the previous edition of the competition held in 2019.
“It is very heartbreaking because this is the first time I’ve experienced this. In Rabat (Morocco), I got the money immediately after I finished the competition. This is my home country.”
“I competed on the 10th of March, and today is the 18th of April. We don’t even need reasons, but let’s hear from you,” she added.
Winnifred Ntumi made history for Ghana at the 2023 African Games by securing three medals in the weightlifting competition held on Sunday, March 10, 2023.
Her remarkable performance took place at the GCB Hall, where she dominated the women’s 45kg and 49kg snatch events, earning one gold and two silver medals.
As per the promise made by the Sports Ministry, the value assigned to each medal was $3,000 for gold, $2,000 for silver, and $1,000 for bronze.
Therefore, Ntumi is owed a total of $7,000 for her outstanding achievements, comprising two silver and one gold medal.