Ghana Basketball Association Chairman David Addo Ashong has cited lack of resources as the main reason behind the nation’s failure to feature foreign-based players during international competitions.
He lamented inviting players playing in foreign nations will help boost the chances of the national basketball teams to excel in international competitions but this can not be done without adequate resources.
The impressive play of Ghanaian born players in Europe, Asia and particularly North America coupled with the floundering fortunes of national teams has created the need for such players to be included during call ups.
Speaking to Basketballghana.com, the GBBA Chairman said:
“They would help but then again every time they come they expect you to pay their tickets, they are not coming for free. At the end what we can we ask from them. We don’t expect them to pay their own way here, pay accommodation and play for the nation, we have to do something about it.”
“They are willing to play let us help them.”
Featuring foreign-based players has become essential in Africa in recent years as such players bring more experience and nuances acquired from playing in different situations to respective teams.
2015 Afrobasket champions Nigeria won its first ever title with a roster that featured only one home-based player, Guard Ben Uzoh from Lagos Islanders.
College standouts Amida Brimah and Ben Bentil form an impressive pool of Ghanaian players excelling overseas.
