Ghana Athletics President Fuseini sets record straight on Botsio’s withdrawal from World Relays

Ghana Athletics President Bawah Fuseini has moved to quell swirling speculation surrounding sprinter Isaac Botsio’s withdrawal from the national team for the upcoming World Athletics Relays, categorically denying claims that the young athlete pulled out due to disappointment over missing an individual world championship spot.

With the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 set for May 2-3 in Botswana, Ghana’s relay squad is preparing for a crucial showdown that will serve as a key qualifier for the 2027 World Athletics Championships . However, Botsio’s absence from the traveling party has raised eyebrows, prompting Fuseini to address the issue head-on.

President Clarifies Selection History

Speaking to the media, Fuseini dismissed the narrative that Botsio withdrew because he was overlooked for the Tokyo World Championships, clarifying that the sprinter was never in contention for that individual berth based on his performance ranking.

“Isaac Botsio did not withdraw because he missed out on the Tokyo World Championships, because he was not selected in the first place,” Fuseini stated emphatically.

The President explained that the selection for the individual championships was strictly merit-based. At the time of selection for Tokyo, Botsio ranked as the sixth-fastest Ghanaian sprinter, placing him outside the automatic qualification spots.

“He was the sixth fastest Ghanaian at the time, so he was not selected for the World Championships based purely on times, not because of any baton exchange issues in the Bahamas,” Fuseini added, referencing past relay campaigns where Ghana faced technical difficulties .

Botsio’s Rising Trajectory

Despite the controversy, Botsio remains one of Ghana’s most promising sprint talents. The West Texas A&M University standout recently matched his personal best of 10.06 seconds in the 100 meters at the West Texas Relays, a time that positions him among the early-season collegiate benchmarks . He also finished fourth in the NCAA Division II 60m final in March, clocking 6.67 seconds .

As the reigning NCAA Division II outdoor champion, Botsio was initially named alongside Benjamin Azamati, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Joseph Paul Amoah, and Ibrahim Fuseini to represent Ghana in Gaborone . His absence will undoubtedly be felt, as the team looks to secure qualification for major championships later this cycle.

Looking Ahead to Gaborone

With Botsio out, attention turns to the remaining quartet as they prepare to compete against over 700 athletes from approximately 40 nations . The World Athletics Relays represent a critical opportunity for Ghana to book its ticket to future global showpieces.

Fuseini concluded by urging the public to avoid drawing false conclusions about the team’s internal dynamics, emphasizing that selections are made transparently based on athletic performance rather than interpersonal issues or past relay mishaps.

Ghana’s relay campaign in Gaborone gets underway on May 2.