GOC boss proposes compensation for nationality switch

Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) president, Ben Nunoo Mensah, has proposed that Africa should benefit financially when its athletes switch nationality to compete for other countries, particularly countries in Europe and Asia.

He revealed that the GOC had begun discussions with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) on the possibility of charging fees as part of the process for any such nationality switch.

Mr Nunoo Mensah told the Graphic Sports that his proposal if adopted, would enable parent countries to receive some form of compensation from the country that wishes to naturalise a particular athlete whose country of origin might have invested money into the athlete’s development.

The GOC president said such incidence of nationality switch by African athletes was mainly motivated by financial gains they stand to benefit from.

Citing Ghana-born long jumper Ignisious Gaisah as an example, of an athlete he switched nationality to compete for the Netherlands four years ago, Mr Nunoo Mensah lamented how this phenomenon had robbed Africa of some of its finest athletes.

"The various National Olympic Committees in Africa are in discussions with ANOCA to charge fees for any athlete who wishes to switch nationality and compete for a different country."

"It will be appropriate for the country to receive fees before the athlete to serve as a reward for training him or her before granting their wishes," he said.