Sports News of Monday, 27 July 2015

Source: Sammy Heywood Okine

Rawlings deplores falling standard of Ghana Athletics

Rawlings Rawlings

... as he graces Ghana’s Fastest Human at El-Wak Stadium

Former President of Ghana Jerry John Rawlings has expressed his feelings about the low standard of Ghana Athletics when he graced the first Heats of the 2015 Surfline Ghana’s Fastest Human competition at the El Wak Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 25.

He said sportsmen and women are role models and should be respected as pace setters in development.

According to the former President, standards in Ghana Athletics have fallen low, and efforts should be made for improvement. He noted that Ghanaian athletes brought fame and respect in the past and those glories should be brought back.

The charismatic leader who attracted the young athletes commended the organizers of the Ghana’s Fastest Human Competition and the sponsors. The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana and Togo who was at the stadium also congratulated the winners especially the junior athletes who performed marvelously to the admiration of the spectators. Ashanti Region new idol Emmanuel Appiah Kubi aka “Bino” run fastest beating compatriot Shadrack Opoku Agyeman in a very hot contest in the Senior Men’s 100 meters dash to pick the cash prize at stake. Desmond Aryee placed third. In the Female Division of the seniors, Beatrice Gyaman of Fire Service beat Happy Abruyah from Ashanti and Aba Amengu Sam from the Western Regions respectively to pick her cash.

Other winners on the day were Doris Afriyie- Girls Under 10, Yaw Buadu- Boys Under 10, Christie Oko- Girls Under 13, Emmanuel Appau- Boys Under 13, Mary Boakye- Girls Under 18 and Barnabas Asante -Boys Under 18. Ghana’s Fastest Human 2015 is sponsored by Surfline, GNPC, Moringa King and First Atlantic Bank with support from the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA).

Rex Brobby, brain behind the Ghana Fastest Human Race commended the guests who graced the event and the young runners who showed great talent and potential. Some former athletes who were at the El Wak Stadium included Olympians Hannah Afriyie, Ohene Karikari and Mike Ahey.