The National Sports Authority has organized this year’s national cross-country event for the third time running since 2019 in Sehwi Wiaso, the Western North Region on Saturday, 20th February 2021. In all, 192 male and female athletes who were drawn from the sixteen administrative regions participated in the 10km event. The symbolic “starting gunshot” was done by the Director of the National Sports Authority, Prof. Peter Twumasi, with the support of other Physical Education Athletics officials who were drawn from the western region enclave. The event ended at the Glistering Park at about 9:30am. Dignitaries who graced the occasion include Nana Yaw Kwarteng, Chief of Anwiam, who represented Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, Omanhene of Sehwi Wiaso Traditional area, Hon. Alex Tetteh, the Member of Parliament for Sehwi Akontombra constituency, Nana Elluo Kweku II, Chief of Bopa, Lt. Col. Anthony Adu Hene (rtd.) among others.
In his keynote address, the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Prof. Peter Twumasi said that the Government will continue to support talented athletes with policies such as the stimulus package that was made available to sportsmen and women in 2020 in order to alleviate the financial burden on them in this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that opportunities exist for needy talented athletes to benefit from state sponsored scholarships so that at the end of the day, athletes could earn a meaningful livelihood after their active sporting life.
The Director General stated that this is one of the competitions we can use to raise long distance runners. When it comes to long distance running in Ghana, we really don’t put in much resources to harness their potentials. When we continue to do this, we can identify talents in Ghana to match their opponents at the international front. “We will mold and polish these talents World competitions. We are satisfied that these budding talents will have the resources to be ready for the world. There were scouts here and some of these athletes will be picked.”
Nana Yaw Kwarteng II in his remarks also advised the young athletes to take their academic studies seriously whiles at the same time engaging in sporting activities.
RESULTS OF 2021 NATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY, SEFWI WIAWSO, WESTERN NORTH (FEB 20, 2021)
INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT
MALE: Time
1st. Affual Basit. Central 29.44.14
2nd. John Kadam Ashanti 30.15.48
3rd. David Nakuosi Upper West 30.20.09
FEMALE: Time
1st. Belinda Segbobu – Upper West 35.11
2nd. Sharifu Moro – Ashanti 35.46
3rd. Rosina Tit – Upper West 36.06
REGIONAL PLACEMENT
MALE: Score
1. Ashanti – 22
2. Central – 50
3. Gt.Accra – 75
4. Western – 79
5. Northern – 114
6. Savana – 115
7. Volta – 116
8. Oti – 128
9. Bono East – 159
10. Bono – 186
11. Upper West – 194
12. Western North -212
13. Eastern – 216
14. Upper East – 236
15. Ahafo – 281
16. North East (absent)
FEMALE: Score
1. Upper West – 22
2. Ashanti – 32
3. Eastern – 86
4. Western North – 92
5. Upper East – 95
6. Bono – 113
7. Western – 145
8. Gt.Accra – 149
9. Volta – 154
10. North – 159
11. Central – 171
12. Oti – 189
13. Ahafo – 201
14. Bono East (absent)
15. North East (absent)
16. Savanna (absent)
CASH PRIZES – To be presented at a ceremony in Accra in due course
Male and female winners – 3,000.00 Gh. Cedis
Male and female 1st Runner-ups – 2,000.00 Gh. Cedis
Male and female 1st Runner-ups – 1,000.00 Gh. Cedis
Congratulations to the athletes and to NSA, I say mucho gratis for a work well done.
Kudos! to the individual participants and big ups to the able DG, NSA, and the entire organizers of this needful timely event.