GRACE OBOUR WINS GHANA'S FASTEST
Grace Obour, a level 200 student of the Physical Education and Sports Studies Department at the University of Ghana continued the impressive run of lifting the banner of the University high when she was crowned the fastest 100m runner at Ghana’s Fastest Human at Kumasi on Saturday, 15th May, 2021.
Back to Back Win for UG
Grace Obour beat Kate Agyeman of University for Developmental Studies at the grand finale of the 2021 Ghana’s Fastest Human at Kumasi at the weekend. Grace beat her arch-nemesis to finish a time of 11:69 seconds in the 100m sprint. This is a feather in her cap as she is known to compete in her favourite 400m event. Grace Obour is the third best placed 400m runner in Africa and 34th ranked in the world.
This feat means that UG has won back to back trophies of The Ghana’s Fastest Human Competition after Benjamin Azamati won it in 2019. The competition did not come off in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Sports Directorate Reaps from Policies and Programmes
Grace Obour joined UG through the University of Ghana Policy on the Admission of Athlete Students (UG-PAAS) after impressing and winning for Ghana the bronze medal in the 400m race at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019. The University of Ghana Sport Fund (UG-SF) has also cushioned her to train with the Athletics Coaches and Fitness Instructors at the Sports Directorate during school periods and vacations and also compete in several competitions locally to further hone her talent and ambition.
Coach Happy with Her Character
Mr. Elorm Amenakpor, Athletic Coach (sprints) at the Sports Directorate was happy with the outcome of the competition.
“I am happy with her character and determination. For someone who is specialized in running the 400m, and to switch to 100m and beat Kate says a lot about her discipline and grit. If she continues on this path and remains focused, we will see another big athlete on the world stage. With the structures here at the Sports Directorate, we are committed to assisting her in every way possible to achieve her dreams.”
Grace Eyes Tokyo 2020
Grace Obour will compete at the West Africa Athletics Championship in Kaduna, Nigeria from 26th May to 1st June, 2021 in the 400m for a spot at the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020.
The Sports Directorate continues its quest in the area of sports development to nurture and produce quality athletes through its internal structures and strategies and collaboration with external actors to enable these athletes to develop themselves to represent the country well in all competitions and also bring medals home.