Accra, June 1, GNA - The Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) has over the weekend organized the fist ever National Swimming Open Championship in Accra.

The championship, which was in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC) and Multipro Private Limited, distributors of Indomie was to unearth talents for the sport.

Over 50 swimmers of all age categories participated in the two day event, with Asafoah Jackson and Chelsea Degraft Ackun both five years old and Abeiku Jackson - nine emerged as the outstanding performers in the Under-18 category.

In the adults division, Eloi Adjavon was the outstanding swimmer on the day after he won the 50 meter Free Style in 27.18 seconds, followed by Illiassu Abraman in 29.75 seconds.

Raymond Atsu Blewugee picked the third position with 30.41 seconds, whilst Bamusa Cissey placed fourth with 31.25 seconds, with Victor Djangba and Opanku Adu picking up the fifth and sixth positions with 31.59 and 31.81 seconds respectively.

Adjavon was also at his best in the 100 meters freestyle when he clocked a time record of 1:01:25 to win the race with Abraman placing second with a time of 1:11:06 followed by Atsu Blewuegee at the third place with a time of 1:11:37.

Adu, Albert Opare Larbi, Cissey recorded, 1:11:41, 1:15:44, and 1:15:81 to place fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

In the Breast-stroke category, 16 year old Joachim Ofosuhene won with a time of 1:23:24, followed by Bangura Janloka with a time of 1:23:52, whilst Atsu Blewugee placed third with a record of 1:27:44. Opare Larbi placed fourth with 1:28:59, with Abraman recording a time of 1:31:62 for the fourth position and Bernard Owusu Matinson going for the sixth position with a time of 1:32.78 to end the two day event. Mr Erasmus Adorko, Deputy Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC) said the competition is a clear indication of a new wind blowing in Ghana sports.

He said that the Council is keen on giving equal attention to all sporting disciplines, hence the decision to support the GSA to organize the event.

Mr Adorkor was confident the event will see more improved competition that will bring out more talents in the sport. 01 June 09