Accra, Aug. 4, GNA - The Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) owes two European-based Sports firms, 29,304.95 US Dollars for camping and training of athletes towards the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

German outfit Athletes First Sports Management is owed the tune of 26,819.95 US Dollars and Den Haag Athletics Club of Holland 2485 US Dollars for camping and training expenses of the national athletic team towards the last Olympic Games.

Information gathered by the GNA Sports indicates that the two bodies are on the heels of the GAA for the payment of their efforts which lasted between June and August, 2008.

The actions of the two firms are confirmed by immediate past GAA Chairman, Sandy Osei-Agyeman in his handing over report copied to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Chairman of GAA and Secretary General of GAA.

Osei-Agyeman added that Andre Thompson of Athletes First Sport Management has soiled Ghana's reputation at the German Embassy with his consistent reminders despite the offsetting of 6,600 US Dollars of the initial bill.

"As you may be aware, Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) has been blacklisted at the German Embassy and with the impending World Championship Games in August, 2009; it is imperative that we settle the bill to avoid any embarrassment for GAA and our country," Osei-Agyeman noted.

But for the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) sanction, the local contingent of the Athletics team would therefore have found it difficult in securing German Visas for the World Championship.

Thompson's outfit hosted the male team consisting of Eric Nkansah, Aziz Zakari, Seth Amoo and Tanko Braimah from June 18 to August 5, 2008 in Cologne.

On the other indebtedness, Paul Wernert of Den Haag Athletics Club is said to have briefly hosted the Women's 4x100 team in the Netherlands before the team joined sprinter Vida Anim for the completion of their camping.

The team was made up of Elizabeth Amolofo, Gifty Addy, Flings Agyapong and Mariama Salifu.