The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PaySwitch, Mr Kojo Choi, said the presentation formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative and wished Ghana well in the games. He said as a local company competing in an industry dominated by companies owned and managed by foreigners, they understand what it feels like to be a first timer in anything. He said Ghana’s athlete, Akwasi Frimpong is from an unexpected background and the challenge to breakthrough for acceptance was huge for him therefore they are happy to be associated with the brand.

“We also understand the Ghanaian is capable of winning with a little support and from what Frimpong has been able to achieve, it is in line with our core belief of empowering the youth in Ghana and Africa,” he added. He said his company hopes to be able to support initiatives in sports and other areas that promote success for young Ghanaians. Korean Ambassador, H.E. Kim Sungsoo also commended the GOC on their efforts to promote and develop sports in the country. He pledged his office’s support to growth of sports in the country and urged Frimpong to do his best in the games as he will be the first Ghanaian to participate in the sport of skeleton.

Ghana’s Chef de Mission for the games, Jerry Shaib Ahmed thanked the PaySwitch and the Korean Ambassador for their support and assured them of a good performance from Ghana’s athlete at the games. Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, GOC President, expressed his outfit’s gratitude to the officials from PaySwitch and the Korean Embassy for coming on board to ensure that Ghana was fully represented at the games. He said their doors are still opened to receive any form of support from corporate Ghana for the games which is expected to begin on February 9, 2018 and end on February 25, 2018. He assured them that the presentation made would be used for its intended purpose and also assured them of a good performance in PyeongChang.

Frimpong qualified for the games after fulfilling the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, which required a minimum of five races on three different ice tracks in two years. During his first season, he competed in 12 races on four different ice tracks - Calgary, Utah, Lake Placid and Germany. In addition, Frimpong needed to be ranked in the top 60 on the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) world ranking by January 14, 2018. Frimpong was ranked 95th in world during the 2016/2017 season, though it was only his first year as a skeleton athlete but managed to climb to the 60th position to earn the qualification.