Amputee coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, tragically passed away in Norway after leading an 11-member Paralympics team to compete in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon in Oslo.
Gyasi reportedly collapsed and died on April 28, 2024, following an investigation into the team’s trip to Norway for alleged impersonation.
The National Security Council’s statement detailed how the 11-member Paralympic team fled upon arrival in Norway, noting Gyasi’s death.
However, sports journalist Saddick Adams clarified that Gyasi, who led the team, did not collapse but rather succumbed to a serious illness, leading to his admission to Oslo University Hospital (ULEVAL).
“The scandal came to light after the head coach felt unwell. He couldn’t deal with the weather at the time, so he passed away,” he said on Angel TV.
The Paralympics team has become topical after the president of the National Paralympics Committee, Samson Deen, revealed that the said 11-member team who absconded in Norway forged documents to secure visas and embark on the trip.
“They forged my signature on the letter and applied for visas for some people who have no affiliation with the Ghana Paralympic Team,” he said.
Samson Deen’s explanation followed a report from National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, detailed in a letter dated July 3, 2024, about 9 of the 11 Paralympic team members being on the run.
The letter stated that the team was scheduled to participate in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon on April 27, 2024.
However, upon their arrival in Norway on April 25, 2024, they failed to register for the competition and were absent from the event two days later.
One team member was reportedly arrested by Norwegian security officials while attempting to travel to Sweden from Norway.