Records set in Volta Region Schools Festival annulled

Hohoe, June 25, GNA - The record breaking feats of runners in the 1500 metres race in both the boys and girls in this year's Volta Regional Schools and Colleges Sports festival are to be annulled.

The decision to annul the records is due to the substandard athletics oval in which the races were run, Mr Issah Yamba Issahaku, Volta Regional Chairman of Schools and Colleges Sports Federation said.

All the female athletes broke the 30- year old record of 5 minutes and 46 seconds set in 1978 by Miss B. Avoka of the Central zone.

Miss Evelyn Ntaba of Krachi Senior High School returned the fastest time of 5 minutes flat while Miss Helen Agbo came last in 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

Master Prosper Awasiame of Kpando Technical Senior High School returned a time of 4 minutes and five seconds in the 1500 metres race to also break another 30- year record, which stood in the name of Master J. Amega of the Southern zone.

Mr Jacob Tay, Physical Instructor of the Hohoe E.P. Senior High School, which is the venue of the Festival told the GNA Sports that the seeming spectacular performance was due to an eight-metre shortfall in the athletics oval.

He said that the impromptu choice of the school to host the Festival did not give ample time to the organisers to pull down a big acacia tree to make way for the athletics oval to meet its full distance.