By William Fiifi Sey
25th September 2021 saw the 4th edition of the Asante Akyem Marathon being held successfully with William Amponsah and Sakat Lariba ending the competition as champions for the Male and Female categories as champions respectively.
The much anticipated event, aimed at unearthing talents and also promoting Ghana Athletics was organized by SportsLife and powered by Agogo based Adanseɛ 98.9 FM.
The marathon event staged at Agogo in the Asante Akyem North constituency, saw dignitaries like Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi, former Youth and Sports Minister Pius Enam Hadzide and former Asante Kotoko and Blackstars midfielder, Yusif Alhassan Chibsah graced the occasion.
Over 400 participants being Men,Women and juvenile registered for the 2021 marathon with the Men competing in 21km(Nyabo to Agogo) while the Women and Juveniles also participated in 12km(Juansa to Agogo).
William Amponsah, the winner for the maiden edition emerged as the winner for the 2021 edition for the Men’s category by clocking a time of 1hr:12min.39sec to win the race and had a prize money of GHS 5,000 and in addition, a fully funded will trip to London.
Ishmael Arthur, also a former winner ran a time of 1hr:14min.47sec to clinch 2nd position with a prize money of GHS 3,000 going his way while Koogo Atia who placed 3rd with a time of 1hr:15min.22sec had a reward of GHS 2,000. Again, athletes who took the position of 4th-10th in the men’s category earned earn GHC 200 each.
In the Women’s category, Sakat Lariba, a national athlete, student of University of Education Winneba and 2015 Accra Milo Marathon winner, clocked 47min.14sec to claim the prize money of GHS 2,000 the 12km race for the winner.
2nd placed Berlinda Segbor, with a time of 50min.49sec pocketed GHS 1000. Abdulai Ramatu with her time of 50min.59sec walked away GHS 500 for placing 3rd. The athletes, who placed 4th-10th in the women’s event got GHS 100 each.
For the Juvenile participants, the 1st – 10th placed runners were rewarded with some educational materials and products from Cowbell Ghana. The event attracted runners from Italy and South Africa.
The winners saw the Ashanti Regional Ag. Director, Mr Emmanuel Kojo Appiah and Ashanti Regional NSA PRO, Mrs Patience Sharon Adams Mensah present the medals to them.
Director General of NSA, Prof. Peter Twumasi presented the top most award to the Male winner Amponsah stated, competitions of this nature aimed at discovering potentials deserves and creating avenue for talents to develop deserves national attention and support.
The National Sports Authority (NSA) Boss ending his speech commended the former NSA Board Chairman, Hon. Kwadwo Baah Agyemang who is the founder of the organizing company for having such vision putting together such a successful event.
