Sports festival to be held in the newly constructed stadia

Koforidua, Aug. 29, GNA - The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof. Dominic Fobih has said that next year's Inter-Regional Schools and Colleges Sports Festival would be held in one of the newly constructed stadia built for the CAN 2008.

He said the investment made in sports infrastructure by the government was expected to encourage greater participation and ensure positive returns from the investment as well as produce champions for the country within the shortest period.

Prof. Fobih said this in a speech read on his behalf at the formal opening of the 25th Inter-Regional Schools and Colleges Sports Festival at Koforidua on Monday.

He challenged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to implement the compulsory physical education policy in all schools, modernize the physical education curricula and build a strong base for school sports through training and programming of activities.

Prof. Fobih observed that the Festival had contributed immensely towards peace and development in the country by contributing in fostering national integration, developing the physical and emotional health of students and identifying talents for career development and international competitions.

Earlier in a welcoming address, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram-Asiedu assured of the Region's preparedness to offer its facilities for the organization of national festivals. In an opening soccer match, Eastern Region drew 1-1 with Western Region at regulation time and went ahead to win the match 4-3 when the penalty kicks was evoked.

In the other matches played, Greater Accra Region beat Upper West Region 2-0, Central Region beat Upper East Region 3-1 and Ashanti Region beat Volta Region 2-1.

In Athletics, Isaaka Mensah of Central Region came first in the 1500 meters final boys race, in a time of 4min. 07.37 seconds followed by Godwin Adoukpor of Volta Region at second position with a time of 4min. 09.78 secs and Samuel Boadi Boahen of Ashanti Region placing third in a time of 4min. 12.72 secs.

In the girls 1500 race, Grace Ofori of Volta Region came first with a time of 4min, 51.78 seconds followed by Ivy Kelli of Grater Accra Region with a time of 5min 02.50secs with Dorothy Asante of Eastern Region coming third in a time of 5min 05.38 seconds. 29 Aug. 07