Airtel promotes fitness in Ghana

Corporate Social Responsibility Company of the year, Airtel Ghana as part of its community investment strategy is investing heavily to support the development of sports in Ghana through its sponsorships and brand activation initiatives.

A statement issued in Accra by Mr Richard Ahiagbe, Head of Corporate Communications and External Affairs Manager and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the company demonstrated this commitment to harness the power of sports for tourism, health and fitness and as a development tool by headlining the sponsorship of arguably the biggest international marathon organised in Ghana.

The Accra Millennium Marathon attracted 15,000 professional and amateur athletes from across the world.

It added that the Marathon was directed by the African legend and one of the world's greatest long distance runners - Haile Gebrselassie took place on September 5, and would go down in history as one of the biggest sporting events ever held in Ghana.

It said the change maker telecommunications giant in partnership with organisers and government, sought to build a more health- conscious nation; healthy and fit to drive the development agenda of the country.

Airtel Ghana it said also sought to identify and support the development of local runners with high potential for international long distance races as well as to position Ghana on the international marathon map.

The statement said over the last 5 years, Airtel has invested heavily in the biggest football talent unearthing program, Airtel Rising Stars - a grassroots football talent exploring and development competition designed in a league format to identify, grow and project unknown young soccer talents from obscurity to stardom.

Since the commencement of the highly patronised Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) competition, great talents have been produced to represent the nation at various age competitions, it added.

The statement said Ms Sandra Owusu-Ansah, Mr Kubrah Abubakari, Ms Florence Fosuaa Annor and Ms Belinda Anane all Airtel Rising Stars players represented Ghana at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup tournament in Costa Rica.

It said Ms Priscilla Okyere, a participant of the maiden edition of ARS led the Black Maidens to win Africa's first medal at a FIFA organised event for women, scoring the winning goal; against Germany in that competition.

Speaking about how Airtel is harnessing the power of sports for development and unearthing talents, Ms Hannah Agbozo, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director said: "At Airtel we recognise that sports has the potential to shape dreams and to propel personal and societal transformation.

“We care about the health of our customers and the communities in which we operate and we are also determined to provide opportunities for young and talented people in our communities to rise up to realise their full potential.

“This is why we are committed to sponsoring events such as the Accra Millennium Marathon to give our customers and the …public the opportunity to exercise and to stay healthy."

The statement said the ARSs programme provides a unique opportunity for young footballers across the country to be unearthed and unleashed to be the best they could possibly be.