Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised concerns over what he describes as an excessive focus on Ghana’s senior men’s national football team, the Black Stars, at the expense of other sporting disciplines.

Assafuah made the remarks during a donation to Ghana’s national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, ahead of the 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.

The MP argued that the challenges facing sports development in Ghana go beyond political party differences and reflect a deeper systemic problem that requires urgent attention.

“There is so much attention on the National Men's team, the Black Stars, leaving all the other disciplines to suffer. The issue at hand is not a party problem but a systemic one that requires resolution,” he said.

His comments have renewed attention on the distribution of support and resources across Ghana’s sporting landscape, particularly for national teams that receive comparatively less public attention despite representing the country in international competitions.

While the Black Stars remain one of Ghana’s most prominent sporting brands, other national teams, including the Black Challenge, also carry the responsibility of representing the country on the global stage.

Amputee football provides an opportunity for athletes with physical disabilities to demonstrate their talent, determination and competitive ability. However, teams in less-publicised sporting disciplines can face challenges in securing the resources, visibility and institutional support needed to prepare adequately for major competitions.

Assafuah’s donation to the Black Challenge ahead of the tournament in Mexico underscores the importance of supporting athletes beyond the country’s most celebrated football team.

His remarks also suggest that addressing the challenges in Ghanaian sports requires a broader review of how sporting disciplines are supported, rather than treating the matter as a political disagreement between parties.

A sustainable approach to sports development would require attention to athlete preparation, logistics, equipment, training facilities and other essential needs across different national teams.

Such support could help create opportunities for talented athletes to compete effectively and improve Ghana’s representation in international sporting events.

The MP’s position places responsibility on the relevant sporting authorities and stakeholders to examine whether existing support structures adequately serve all disciplines.

It also raises questions about how Ghana can balance the popularity of the Black Stars with the development of other national teams whose achievements may receive less media coverage.

As the Black Challenge prepares for the 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico, attention will be on the team’s readiness and Ghana’s broader commitment to inclusive sports development.

Assafuah’s message is clear: Ghana’s sporting ambitions should not begin and end with the Black Stars. Building a stronger sporting nation requires a system that recognises, supports and develops talent across all disciplines.