Schools Sports Festival begins at Kwahu

THE 26th Eastern Region Basic Schools Sports Festival has started in a grand style at Abetifi in the Kwahu-South District of the Eastern Region with all the 15 districts in the region participating.

The week-long festival is under the joint distinguished patronage of the Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Franscis Osafo-Mensah, the Eastern Region Director of Education Rev. Ama Afo Blay and the chairman of the Eastern Region Basic Schools Sports Association, Mr C. L. Twumasi Ankrah. The opening ceremony for the Under-15 event was held on Monday with the hosting of flags of the various districts, lighting of games flame, oath swearing and returning of trophies by previous winners.

In his opening address, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minster, Mr Jonathan Gustav Narh-Dometey, called on the organisers, teachers and the pupils to consider sports and games essential aspects of proper human development since a healthy body contains a sound mind.

He urged all participating contingents in the festival to comport themselves and abide by the same friendly and competitive spirit reminiscent of the ancient Olympic games.

The deputy regional minister was grateful to observe that the negative perception of the public which saw sports and games as the preserve of academic failures has changed and the now very bright pupils have invaded the sports arena chalking international successes for the nation and themselves.

He also advised the participants to desist from all deviant behaviour and urged them to contest fairly in the festival.

In the opening soccer match, Mpraeso defeated Asamankese 2-0 in a highly determined game witnessed by a respectable crowd.

The first goal of the match came in the 17th minute through a penalty converted nicely by Kwadwo Ampadu. This was after a hard pressed Asamankese defender handled the ball in their vital area.

Emmanuel Baah made it two in the 57th minute when he lobbed the ball over Seidu Issaka in post for Asamankese in a one- on-one situation.

In an interview later with the Graphic, the competition Director who is also the Regional Sports Organiser, Mr Kofi Sarpong Boateng called on individuals and philanthropists to assist with logistics to ensure the development of sports in the region.