UG Athletics Team Set National Record
The University of Ghana male 4x100m Team has set a national record of 39.75 seconds in the maiden Junior Olympics held at the Paa Joe Stadium, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.
The competition which was organised by the Legon Creative Athletics Club and sanctioned by the Ghana Athletics Association had about four hundred athletes across the nation participating in five categories: Under 10, Under 12, Under 15, Under 18 and Seniors.
The UG Athletics Team competing in the senior category showed improved performance and preparedness after months of training. This performance culminated in the Team winning four gold medals in 100m men, 400m women, 4x100m men and 4x400m mixed. Two silver and bronze medals apiece were also won in 100m men, 4x400m men, 100m men and 400m women respectively.
Former College Athlete and currently Coach at the UG Sports Directorate in charge of sprints, Mr. Elorm Amenakpor heaped praises on his athletes for the high level of performance exhibited. Special mention went to Isaac Bostio for winning the 100m and helping the 4x100 Team to set a national record in the 4x100m.
“I am thrilled with the performance of the Team. They were simply awesome. Isaac Bostio showed exactly what we have been teaching him on the tracks. I am very optimistic he will have a great season. My excitement was also seeing UG win gold in the first ever 4x400m mixed event in Ghana. Our desire as Athletics Coaches at UG is to continue to identify, nurture and develop these student athletes to represent themselves, UG and Ghana at the international stage.”
Winner of the 100m event and a member of the UG 4x100m team, Mr. Isaac Botsio thanked Management and Staff of the Sports Directorate for the support and opportunity to participate in competitions. Botsio, who is currently in Level 200 reading BA Sports and Physical Culture Studies was excited to have competed with Olympians Sarfo Ansah and UG Alumnus Benjamin Azamati in the 4x100m event.
“My teammates and I are very appreciative of the Sports Directorate for the support and opportunities they gave us throughout the semester and during our camping. It was remarkable running in the same race with Sarfo Ansah and Azamati. They gave us a stern competition but we came up tops. This will motivate me and I am certain my teammates will relish this experience as well.”
Former UG athlete and Olympian, Benjamin Azamati was elated with Team UG’s performance. He added that the feat chalked by the male 4x100 Team was not a mean achievement.
“I am happy for this Team. They have shown the potential they have. The male 4x100 Team have performed well to do less than 40 seconds in the 4x100m. It was something we could not achieve at UG even though we had a very strong Team back then. These guys can win the gold, silver and bronze medals in the 100m at the next GUSA Games. I pray the Sports Directorate will pay much more attention on the ladies as well.”
This competition forms part of Team UG’s preparation towards the 27th Ghana Universities Sports Association Games to be hosted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in 2022.