Deputy Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Veronica Commey, has expressed surprise over complaints of food rationing at the ongoing African Senior Athletics Championships at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, while assuring athletes and officials that steps are being taken to address the concerns.
Her comments follow allegations by South African athlete Aiden Smith, who claimed competitors were being served inadequate food portions despite the physical demands of the championship.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, May 13, Commey said organisers had taken the complaints seriously and were working swiftly to improve conditions and service delivery for participating athletes.
According to her, adequate arrangements had been made to cater for all participating teams, but feedback from some athletes had highlighted operational gaps that required immediate attention.
“You spoke about the athletes speaking about the rationing of food. Personally, I was taken a little aback. As organisers, we do know that there will be complaints.”
“I go to the dorm myself. There is a lot of food, so we don’t know where it came from. So it is something that I want to assure you that we are working on,” she said.
She assured that immediate measures were being implemented to improve food supply and service arrangements for the remainder of the championship, stressing the NSA’s commitment to ensuring a comfortable and competitive environment for all athletes.
🎥 “We have put measures in place to ensure it does not happen again, so kindly accept my apologies.”
Deputy Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Veronica Commey, addressing concerns raised by athletes over food and challenges faced by the media.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/PePtpWMxMT
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 13, 2026
