Empty stands at African Seniors Championship a shame for Ghana, says former athletics boss

A former Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), George Haldane-Lutterodt, has strongly criticized the organisation of the ongoing 24th CAA African Senior Athletics Championships, describing the poor spectator turnout at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium as an embarrassment to the host nation.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the continental event in Legon on Tuesday, Haldane-Lutterodt did not hide his disappointment, noting that the cavernous empty seats stood in stark contrast to the calibre of elite track and field athletes on display.

“Athletics goes with supporters. The athletes need the encouragement from the stands to give off their best performances,” he said. “You cannot bring together the crème de la crème of athletics on the continent and still have an almost empty stadium. It does not project Ghana well to the rest of Africa and the world.”

The veteran economist drew a sharp comparison to his first experience at the African Senior Championships in Congo, where stadiums were packed to capacity daily, creating an electric atmosphere that elevated the competition.

“My first African championship was in Congo, and the Congolese filled the stadium every day. The atmosphere made the competition exciting and memorable. Unfortunately, you cannot say the same about Ghana’s hosting, and that is worrying,” Haldane-Lutterodt lamented.

He argued that the host nation failed in its duty to mobilise supporters, schools, and sports fans, particularly given the success of other local sporting events.

“The last time the Bukom Boxing Arena was filled to the brim, the atmosphere was incredible. Why can’t athletics achieve the same? We need to market the sport better and reconnect with the people,” he stated.

Beyond the empty stands, the outspoken former chairman accused the current athletics leadership of structural failures and a lack of outreach. He questioned why past federation presidents and experienced administrators—including respected figure Sandy Osei-Agyemang—were sidelined instead of being consulted.

“In football, administrators may have their differences, but during major tournaments they rally behind one another for the good of the game. Why can’t athletics do the same?” he queried. “These are people with experience and networks that can help develop athletics in Ghana.”

The 24th CAA African Senior Athletics Championships continues in Accra, with Ghana aiming to use the event to bolster its reputation as a destination for major international sporting competitions. However, Haldane-Lutterodt warned that without public support, the current optics risk undermining that goal.

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