Accra: Concerns over equipment standards at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships have intensified after two athletes reportedly lost their poles mid-air during pole vault events at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra. Addressing the incident, Ghana Athletics Communications Director, Charles Osei Asibey in an interview with Sporty FM clarified that athletes are not permitted to use personal poles during international competitions, stressing that all equipment used at the championships was supplied by the organisers.
According to Ghana Web, international athletics regulations require organisers to provide standardised competition equipment for all athletes to ensure fairness and safety. Osei Asibey explained that the poles used were not brought by the athletes but were provided by the organisers or the host. The incident has raised fresh questions about the quality assurance procedures carried out before the start of the championships, especially after concerns emerged over technical and organisational challenges at the continental event.
Charles Osei Asibey further questioned the challenges faced, asking whether quality checks were conducted adequately. He highlighted the importance of examining the equipment properly before making it available to the athletes, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to international standards to prevent such incidents in the future.