The second edition of the National Sports Authority (Western Region) and the GNPC Foundation inter-districts athletics championship has been launched.
The championship being organized by the Western Regional branch of the National Sports Authority with Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s (GNPC) Foundation as the headline sponsor was officially launched in a colourful ceremony on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at the conference center of the Sekondi Sports Stadium.
In his welcoming address, the Acting Western Regional Sports Director, Mr Joseph Alabi Bortey indicated that, the main competition set for March 28, 2020 at the Sekondi Sports Stadium will be participated by 14 districts in the Western region with each district expected to present 50 contingents (45 athletes & 5 Officials), competing in eleven events namely: 10,000 5000m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m,relay,4x200m relay, 4 x 4 relay, 800m, high jump, 1500m both male and female.
He explained that the selected athletes will be trained for the various upcoming regional and national sports festivals before the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The chairperson for the launch, Nana Kofi Abonah, chief of Essipong Traditional Area heaped praises on the Acting Western Regional Director for his able leadership and the effort to raise the standard of sports in Western region.
She thanked GNPC Foundation for taking the giant step again to serve as the headline sponsor for the competition and urged other Corporate bodies to emulate.
Representing the Executive Director of GNPC Foundation, Mr. Daniel Omane Boakye, reiterated GNPC Foundation’s commitment to advancing Sports in the region and in the country. He cited the number of AstroTurf facilities currently being built by the Foundation across the country as testament to its efforts.
He further elaborated on the Foundation’s commitment in impacting lives of Ghanaians in the area of sports and expressed their excitement to be at the forefront for the competition for the second time after the maiden edition in 2018.
it is important to state that the launch was unique as it was laced with rich poetic recital creating a wonderful ambiance on the day.
Undoubtedly, the success of the launch is an indication of a bigger prospects for the main event scheduled for 28th March, 2020.
This year’s edition of the championship is under the theme, “Unearthing talents, creating opportunities for peace and development through Athletics’.
Present at the launching was the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Gifty Eugenia Kusi, who on behalf of the Regional Minister,Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, pledged her full support to the event., Acting Western Regional Sports Director, Mr. Joseph Alabi Bortey, Nana Kofi Abonah V, Chief of Essipong Traditional Area, Mr. Abedu Wilson who represented the Director General,NSA, Prof. Peter Twumasi, former Western Regional Sports Director and now coordinator for districts sports, Mr. Jeffrey K. Manzan.
Other people present included representatives from National Sports Authority and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation foundation, Representatives from various districts among other invited dignitaries.