Provide amenities for development of athletics -Tutor

Kumasi, March 4, GNA - A call has been made to District Assemblies to provide amenities at the district level to generate interest in athletics as a way of unearthing talents for the nation.

They have also been asked to consider forming athletic clubs among the various age groups in the districts to catch potential athletes young and organise regular competitions to shift the concentration of athletic competitions from the cities.

Mr Orlando Osumanu, physical education tutor of Opoku Ware Secondary School (OWASS) in Kumasi, who made the call said the formation of athletic clubs in the districts will not only help revive athletics at the district level but will also ensure that the nation did not over rely on inter-schools and colleges competitions to unearth talents.

Speaking to the GNA Sports in Kumasi on Wednesday, Mr Osumanu regretted that the introduction of the senior secondary school concept had created a situation where potential athletes do not have enough time to mature before they leave school.

"We have to find a solution to this problem if athletics is to bring the needed honour's to the nation at international competitions", he stressed.

Mr Osumanu attributed the recent improvement of sports in the school to the provision of structures and motivation put in place by the Board of Governors of the school.

He intimated that having won the Ashanti Regional inter-schools and colleges athletics competitions in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003, OWASS had resolved to win this year's athletics cup for keeps. Mr Osumanu therefore called on all past students of the school to contribute both in cash and kind to the development of sports in the school. 4 Mar. 04