AAG: Female runners declare 'war' in Algiers

Algiers, July 12, GNA - Ghana's female athletics team at the 9th All Africa Games in Algiers has declared war, while awaiting the commencement of the athletics segment of the fiesta.

Speaking to the GNA Sports at the Taleb Abdul Rahman Games Village situated at Ben Aknoun, a plush suburb of the Algerian capital, the runners said they had resolved to break all obstacles, if any to ensure they won medals for Ghana.

Esther Danquah, who will enter the starting blocks for the 100 and 200 metres sprints said their determination had no limits as they would like their performances to attract more attention in the track and field categories.

The USA based runner called for equal support for athletics as football and appealed to sports administrators and corporate Ghana to sponsor young, budding athletes to overseas training programmes, adding that athletics also has the capacity to raise Ghana's profile on the world sporting map.

'We are here to prove a point and we surely will win individual and team medals.'

Oh her part, Rosina Amenebede, a soldier based at the Burma Camp in Accra, who will participate in the long jump and 100 metres hurdles said her aim was to get medals in both events.

She said she had benefited from her training tour of Holland and would like to show her gratitude to her employers and the Graphic Corporation, which sponsored her to Holland by returning home with medals.

Elizabeth Amolofo, a police woman who said she was the most likely candidate to start the sprint relays for Ghana said her participation in the Commonwealth Games in Australia and the African Championship in Mauritius has enboldened her to face any runner on the circuit regardless of the kind of credentials the runner might have.
She however called for prayers from the entire sporting fraternity and particularly, from her colleagues in the Ghana Police Service. CEPS woman, Millicent Boadi said though the Algiers Games was her first major competition, her training at the CEPS Depot will empower her to fight to the end in her quest for a medal.

When reminded that her event, the half marathon was the preserve of the East Africans, she said it was time the status quo changed to make way for new indices.
Mariama Salifu, a Community Health undergraduate of the Utah Valley University in the US, who is poised to compete for honours in the 100, 200 and 4 X 100 metres relay said her failure to participate in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia due to ill health even though she made the trip was her motivating factor.
She said the illness denied her the chance to compete with the best in the Commonwealth and would therefore not disappoint on the African big stage.
She said the entire team was in 'a great mood,' while awaiting the arrival of Vida Anim and Margaret Simpson and called for support and encouragement from Ghanaians.
Winding up for her colleagues, Gifty Addy said she shared in their sentiments, adding that with the completion of the tartan tracks at the El Wak Stadium, the authorities must endeavour to organise many local competitions and sponsor some athletes to participate in foreign competitions. 12 July 07