The first ever regional cross country athletes competition has been held in Ahafo Ano South West in the Ashanti region successfully.
In all,Twenty(20) males and females were selected for final training ahead of National competition to be held at Tamale in the Northern region.
The Ashanti regional version which was held outside Kumasi,the regional capital had primary school pupils as low as Seven (7) years participating and successfully completing over 8 miles long distance race from starting point of Abodease community to Kunsu-Wioso to the surprised of Director General of National Sports Authority (NSA),Nananom,Sports Masters of various schools among other stakeholders.
This year’s country cross competition is on the theme ” HARNESSING SPORTS TALENTS IN ASHANTI”.
About Four hundred (400) athletes drawn from various schools from the region participated in the competition.
For the male division, Noah Wumboriche,Mampong was adjudged first with 25:17.68.
The second position through to the tenth position in the male division were;Emmanuel Tetteh ,2nd(KUHIS),Adam Fuseini,3rd (KTI),Tumpuri Bernard-4th (OWAS),Raphael Manority-5th (AMASS-K)
The rest are:Damal Mathew -6th (OKESS),Collins Obeng Amankwah-7th (Krobea Asante SHS),Abdul Sulemana-8th (Mankraso SHS),Wahab Aminu-9th (KASS ) as well as Bonti Nurudeen Tia-10th (OKESS ) respectively.
For the female division, the first Ten (10) selected were;Abigail Abugri-1st position(Jachie SHS) with 29:12:31 points
The rest are:Joyce Ayumba-2nd St.Louis SHS,Esther Yakubu-3rd Amankwatia Primary,Felicia Babulwuri-4th-OLAG SHS,Salamatu Munmuni-5th(Arrow Athletics).
Others are; Rabiatu Braimah-6th (St.Louis SHS),Agnes Agyei-7th (St.Louis SHS),Alimatu Iddrisu-8th(Brodekwanso.Meth),Hannah Adompako-9th (Amasss-K) and Gloria Abodila-10th (St Louis SHS) respectively.
Professor Peter O.Twumasi,the Director General of National Sports Authority(NSA) who was born and bread at Abodease Community couldn’t hide his excitement and commended the participating athletes.
He also commended the stakeholders for their support for the successful competition.
He encouraged the selected athletes who had been selected for the training for national contest to respect the coaches so as to help them to win more medals for Asanteman and Otumfuo.
According to Prof.Twumasi,sports has become very lucrative and urged all Ghanaians to contribute their quota towards promotion of about Fifty (50) sporting activities recognized by National Sports Authority.
He advised parents to also encourage their children or wards who have interest in various sporting activities.
The NSA boss said Nana Addo led administration is very committed to decentralization of sporting activities hence their decision to embark on various sports development.
All the participants were given certificates for participating in the competition.
The District Chief Executive(DCE) for Ahafo Ano South West,Hon.Joseph Bonsu Frimpong commended President Akufo-Addo and the organizers for selecting the district to host the regional competition.
Nana Nii Lante Botwe,the Odikro of Abodease community was full of praised to the government and the NSA for selecting their community to host the competition.
Mr.Emmanuel Kojo Appiah,Ashanti regional Director of NSA,Dr.Williams K.A.Appiah,Ash GES director among others also commended the athletes for interesting competition.
