Diplomats and Ministers to participate in Millennium Marathon

The Diplomatic Corps and some Ministers of State have indicated their preparedness to participate in the Millennium Marathon which takes place in Accra on September 6, 2015.

Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga, Tourism Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare and Health Minister Kweku Agyeman Manu have expressed their intentions or preparedness towards the event which was launched by Ethiopian running legend Haile Gabrseselassie at the Alisa Hotel.

Hon. Ayariga said he is training secretly for the marathon, whist the Health Minister said it will be another opportunity for Ghanaians to participate together in sports and keeping fit to build a healthy nation.

For the Tourism and Culture Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare who is much enthused and interested in the marathon, she noted that it will be an avenue to showcase Ghana.

She expected many international participants and said Ghana is welcoming all of them to take part in the event because the nation’s culture and resources will be exposed and the economy could boom.

The Ambassador of Ethiopia to Ghana Gifti Abasiya Ababulgu said the Millennium Marathon is an event that will unite African nations. She expressed that Africans must be healthy by taking sports serious because it can open many doors to become famous like Haile Gabrseselassie who took pictures with many people.

Gabrseselassie advised those who will run on September 6 to train well and hard because it was an opportunity and the prizes of brand new Peugeot cars are not cheap. He commended the sponsors of the marathon for supporting running and keeping fit.

The great Olympian said it does not take a day to be a champion, so those planning to compete must train well.

Meanwhile, all the nation’s best long distance and marathon runners have got wind of the event and are preparing feverishly.

Some of them who were spotted at the launch at Alisa said they want to run with the legend. David Zigah, Adipko, Raga and others all said they will win the car.

The day is Sunday September 6, 2015 and it will be a day to remember, with the Mayor of Accra, Hon Okoe Vanderpuije as the major host. He has also promise to run and compete with the champions.

The major stake holders in the marathon being staged by the Millennium Sports Company are the Ghana Government, Ministries of Youth & Sports, Tourism, Health, Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Diplomatic Corps, Ethiopia Airlines and the Ethiopian Embassy in Accra as well as local businesses and volunteers.