Ghanaians didn’t appreciate me so I naturalised to be Dutch – Ghanaian-born athlete

- Ignisious Gaisah, a Ghanaian long-jumper, has naturalised as a Dutch citizen and now competes for the Netherlands

- In a recent interview, the gentleman revealed it was because he did not get appreciated enough when he was representing Ghana

- Gaisah had won several medals for Ghana over the years, including gold at the All African Games

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Former Ghanaian long-jumper, Ignisious Gaisah, has narrated why he shifted from being a Ghanaian and now represents the Netherlands.

According to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh, Ignisious indicated that he made the switch mainly because his work was not appreciated by Ghanaians.

Ignisious further explained that over the years, while competing for Ghana, he had seen how other countries support their athletes but the same could not be said for Ghana.

READ ALSO: Ghana must start praying against bloodshed in the upcoming general election – Duncan-Williams

READ ALSO: Sandra Mensimah Owusu: Meet Ghana's national female weightlifter and Olympian (Video)

Ignisious Gaisah said:

“In order for athletes not to go out of the county, they will need support to be able to perform very well. When I was in Ghana, they did not celebrate me as I was expecting. And so I had to make decisions for myself and then had to move to the Netherlands to see the difference."

According to the report on 3News.com, Gaisah won gold at the 2003 All African Games for Ghana in Nigeria, won another in Mauritius in 2010, and settled on a silver medal in 2011 at the All African Games in Mozambique.

However, in 2013 he made a bold decision in an open letter to the Ghana Athlete Association saying he would not perform for Ghana anymore on the international stage, but would rather be representing the Netherlands.

READ ALSO: Ghana's top female sprinters reach IAAF athletics competition in Qatar

In a separate report, renowned Ghanaian sprinter, Joseph Paul Amoah, has successfully graduated from Coppin State University in the United States with an admirable degree in Accounting.

In a post sighted by YEN.com.gh on the personal Instagram handle of the Ghanaian athlete, Joseph Amoah was sighted at different parts of the university in his graduation gown and cap.

Joseph posted the photos along with the caption, “Not about where you are, but who you are” signifying the somewhat long journey from Kumasi to the United States.

Enjoy reading our stories? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news!

"I don't believe there is a president in Ghana" - Frustrated taxi driver speaks:

Share your stories and news by getting interactive on our Facebook page!

Source: YEN.com.gh