CEPS poised to consolidate position in SESSA Games

Accra, July 11, GNA -- Defending Security Services Sports Association (SESSA) Games champions, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, (CEPS) are carving out new structures that will enable them to consolidate their leadership position when the next edition of the competition commences later in the year.

In this regard, 91the Blues' have recruited 25 young girls to form the nucleus of a female soccer team that will not only win the Games, but also serve as a feeder to the national team, the Black Queens.

Ms Angelina Ocran, Chief Collector, Sports told the GNA Sports that CEPS wanted to increase the disciplines it participates in, so as to make its presence effectively felt in all segments of the Games and to encourage their personnel to represent the nation in many sports disciplines.

The Chief Collector said CEPS had also formed volleyball teams for both men and women and was considering the formation of handball teams as well, while efforts were in high gear to strengthen the disciplines in which it excelled in the last SESSA Games.

=91It is a pride and honour to us that we have over the years produced some of the best sports men and women in the country and it our desire to surpass what we had achieved in the past,' she said. Ms Ocran recounted gleefully the successes chalked by CEPS personnel in the various disciplines.

=91Millicent Boadi has been national marathon champion for three consecutive years, Evelyn Ahiabor was adjudged the best female goalkeeper in Africa in 2005, three members of the national male table tennis team are our men, we have one female national table tennis players, over 50 percent of the national basketball players are from CEPS, while we contribute nine and eight hockey players to the national male and female teams respectively and Ebenezer Frimpong was SWAG hockey player of 2005.'

The Chief Collector said management allowed the athletes flexible duty hours to give them ample time to train and peak at the appropriately time.

She said the success of CEPS personnel in sports was one way of polishing the corporate identity of CEPS and lauded the athletes for their hard work.

And to other security services, Ms Ocran said, 91they must be prepared to play second fiddle to CEPS because we are preparing not only to defend our championship status but also to stake a clean sweep on all the trophies and medals.' 11 July 06