Veteran Sprinter Aziz Zakari believes Ghana athletics is getting back to its golden days again following the successful completion of the maiden rLG Ghana Grand Prix in Kumasi last Saturday.

Athletics Ghana was given a ray of hope at the event which ushered in a new generation of athletes including sprinters Tim Abeyie, Ashaad Agyapong, Emmanuel Appiah Kubi, Allah Laryea-Akrong and long jumper Nii Ayi.

The long list also includes sprinters Flings Owusu Agyapong, Beatrice Gyaman, Dorcas Gyimah and long jumper YetsaTuakli-Wosornu.

“Ghana athletics is going back to where it belongs to from now to the next five years, “Aziz Zakari told E TV Sports. “You can see, you were there and as an old athlete when I meet the new faces coming on I’m really impressed.

“That shows that when Aziz leaves today there is somebody who is going to take his position unlike five years ago. The 34 year old who has been competiting for Ghana, for over 15 years added that the road will not be easy, “I have been talking to the guys, I know they are young, but I have been telling them that it is going to be hard and that it is not going to be a smooth ride.

“We must be patient and listen to our elders through that everything will go through and we have now qualified for the World Athletics Championship. The major highlight of the competition was the qualification of the men’s 4*100m relay team to the upcoming world athletics championship in Daegu, South Korea this month.

The new team was anchored by Aziz Zakari alongside, Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi, Ashaad Agyapong and Tim Abeyie.

“This is a new team altogether apart from me and Appiah-Kubi, the rest of the guys joined us on the day of the competition,” Aziz Zakari said adding that “we haven’t had time to practice together and it’s amazing we put up a great show and had a chance to qualify for the World Athletics Championship.”

Aziz feels the new team can go places with more practice.

“Sure, if we practice and at least get one or two weeks together it will be good.” “Button is all about smooth transition but we managed to go through because we are experienced athletes and that game us the qualification “The All African games will be a great opportunity to go for the gold.

However, the highly partisan crowd at the Baba Yara stadium was disappointed when Zakari failed to make the final list for the men’s 100m event following the exciting relay show.

“It’s just unfortunate. When happened was that we are not used to running the 4*100 relay before the 100m. After the relay we had a long wait about three and the weather became cold.”

“I felt a little bit of crump in my legs and after speaking to Dr. Andrew Owusu we decided not to risk it because we have the World Athletics Championship coming up in South Korea.