Athletics: I am very disappointed in Ghana - Asafa Powell

Former 100m world record holder, Asafa Powell has expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s level of investment in athletics.

The retired Jamaican athlete, who set more sub 10s in 100m history than any other athlete, was in Ghana for less than two weeks, but complained thrice about the country’s lack of athletics infrastructure.

“I’m very, very, very disappointed, honestly.

To be honest, I am very disappointed because you guys have had excellent sprinters back in the days.

I remember competing against Aziz Zakari – he was one of those athletes that whenever I went to the track meets and I heard he was there, I was like, ‘man!

this man is coming to pressure me’.

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA: Jamaican Asafa Powell (R) powers to the finish line ahead Trinidad’s Marc Burns (L) and Aziz Zakari of Ghana in the men’s 100-m final at the Commonwealth Games 2006 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), 20 March 2006.

AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images)

“He was one of those great sprinters [and] I remember Ghana having some great athletes, so coming here and not seeing real professional tracks is very disappointing because what if I wanted to go for a workout while being here?

So I think that is where Ghana needs to improve,” Powell explained.

The Jamaican was in Ghana on the invitation of his wife, Alyshia, whom Asafa says has been ‘bugging me to come here for a while’.

The couple have indicated they have plans to return to the country in December and via their YouTube page, revealed they were buying an apartment in the country.

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Tags:   Asafa Powell Aziz Zakari