Two Dragon Boat clubs from the coastal town of Ada Foah emerged tops at the maiden Ghana Dragon Boat competition held at Big Ada last Saturday, an event that also coincided with the launching of the sport’s brand new latest dragon boats in Ghana.
Azisco club from Azizanyah (Ada Foah) came first in the 200 metres race whiles Club Azizakpey (a village on island close to the Ada Foah Estuary) also came first in the 500 metres race.
Vuti Freedom Fighters (from Keta) came second in the 200 meter race whiles Keji Stars (Kewunor – Ada Foah) and Bortianor Club came second and third respectively in the 500 meter race.
In what was a clear exhibition of ‘Host and Win,’ three of the Ada clubs dazed the home fans with exciting paddling skills to the delight of the home supporters.
In a speech, the President of the Ghana Dragon Boat and Rafting and Association who is also the District Chief Executive for Ada East, Hon. Rex Daniel Wussah was very grateful to all the participating teams for their commitment and support to the growth of the competition in Ghana. He said their continuous participation and commitment to the Dragon Race has helped to sustain the competition till now.
He was also full of praise to the government especially the Ministry of Youth and Sports for supporting the race from the scratch.
Hon. Wussah has also called on corporate Ghana to sponsor the Association to help grow the sport in the country. The hard working DCE has also called on all the executives of the Ghana Dragon Boat and Rafting Association to acquaint themselves with the international rules and regulations governing the competition to help Ghana participate successful in the upcoming event at Hungary.
Last Saturday’s event was also used to launch four brand new dragon boats imported into the country by the association as part of their efforts to promote the water sports in the Ghana.
The immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports and now Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Clement Kofi Humado who was the special guest of honour promised his support to the Association and assured them that he will liaise with the Sports Ministry to help promote the sport in the country. He said the sport if well developed will serve as a mean employment to the youth living along the coast as most of them will be participating in international events.
In an interview, the Vice President of the Association and Secretary of General African Dragon Boat Federation, Mr. Olaf Morrison has called on all the youth to take active part in the sports since it holds a brighter future for them. He thanked all the chiefs, DCEs, MPs who travelled with their teams to Ada to take part in the competition and stressed that the acquisition of the new boats will help grow the event in the country
Other dignitaries who graced the event were the Paramount chief of Ada and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Abraham Kabu Akuaku (II), Nene Tsatsu Pediator (IV) Head of Ada Kudzragbe Clan, Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Madam Alice Attipoe, Member of Parliament for Bortianor/Ngleshie/Amanfrom, Hon. Demordzi Bright Edward Kodzo, Naana Akrofi (I) of Ada, Chiefs and Queenmothers of the Anlo State as well as guests from the Diaspora.
Selected athletes from all the clubs who will form the core of the national team will start serious training towards the international competition slated for Hungary later this year.
All for one supporter Union of Ghana was there to provide ‘Jama’ music throughout the competition.
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