The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee Ben Nunoo Mensah has urged Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of living healthy lifestyles and pledged his full support for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Addressing participants of the walk to celebrate the Olympic Day Run at the Tennis Courts of the Accra Sports Stadium, he revealed that last year, 4 million people all over the world took part in the Run and for this year the theme of the celebration is “Move, Learn and Discover” which offers an opportunity to learn about the Olympic values of “Excellence, Friendship and Respect”.
He hinted that the Olympic Day Run Celebrations started way back in 1948 to honor the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Baron Pierre Coubarton from France.
“Sports units the nation, the power of sports brings Ghanaians together whenever the national football team is playing, so we must get serious with sporting activities” he said.
According to the GOC President, lifestyles must change as kids consume junk food and watch video games without burning calories in the advent of the information age and technological advancement.
He emphasised that sports gives individuals strong mind, good physical body and will power as well as create avenues for friendship.
“Physical activity and sports can solve problems of inactivity” he expressed.
Ben Nunoo Mensah emphasized that sports have helped many people in deprived areas to become famous.
“The Ghana Education Service (GES) must incorporate the Olympic Day into the school curricula to keep students healthy and physically fit” he suggested.
He commended all participants including the Deputy Minister of Health, Director of the National Sports Authority, Keep Fit Clubs that took part and the committee that organized the Run from Martyrs of Uganda Church at Mamprobi to the Accra Sports Stadium.
The GOC President also thanked Rush Energy Drinks from Trillium Ghana for sponsoring the very successful event despite a downpour that kept the participants energized.