Ghanaian heptathlete, Margaret Simpson has finally decided to quit Ghana and compete instead for Mauritius.
The 3-time Africa Athletics championship gold medalist has for several years threatened to stop giving her services to her home country accusing the nation’s athletics administrators of frustrating her efforts and underpaying her.
Speaking to Accra-based Happy FM Wednesday, Simpson said, “they owe me monies they have not paid…”
Simpson was talking to both Mauritius and Italy. The two countries, she said, had approached her and expressed interest in using her services.
But her decision to join Mauritius was mainly informed by her familiarity with that country’s terrain, she indicated.
“Don’t be surprised if you see me running for Mauritius in the game. It’s the side I chose.”
She said she had lived in that country for 12 years which makes it easier for her to naturalize.
“…Everybody knows me in that country so it will be better since my coach whom I have worked with since 2000 knows my program and everything,” she added.
There is a precedent to Simpson’s move.
A few years ago, Ignatius Gaisah, a Ghanaian long jumper switched nationalities and has been competing for Holland since last year.
Meanwhile, the latest Ghana Athletics Association rankings revealed some outstanding individual performances from Ghanaian athletes in the USA and Europe with more seasonal bests and even some personal bests
African heptathlon silver medalist Elizabeth Dadzie leads the honours after finally dipping below 14 secs in the 100m hurdles for the first time in her life with a 13.95 clocking.
African triple jump silver medalist Nadia Eke toppled Elizabeth Dadzie from the top of the long jump rankings after leaping to a personal best 6.06m. Dadzie is second with 6.05m.
Elsewhere, Barton County phenomenon Lydia Ataa Afia Mato chalked another impressive milestone, dipping below 10 minutes for the first time, in 9:53.76 in the 3000m.
Her school mate Samson Azumah Laari also produced another 800m personal best of 1:51.48
Sprinter Janet Amponsah clocked a life time best 55.88s in the 400m and Jordan Yamoah’s encouraging recovery continues as he produced another seasonal best at 5.11m.
Youngster Suzie Acolatse ran a fast 11.52s, albeit wind-aided in the 100m while Emmanuel Dasor recorded a rapid, albeit windy, 20.79s in the 200m.
Qualifiers for the African Games are now at ELEVEN and counting.
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