The Gukpegu/Sabonjida constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday organised friendship games in Tamale to foster closer relationships amongst the people.
In the volleyball competition, Real Tamale United (RTU) team came first followed by Eagle Club, with Sabonjida placing third and Saint Charles taking the fourth position. Sabonjida came first in the soccer competition while Bul-langfong came second.
The first team took away 200,000 cedis, a set of jersey, six boots and footballs, medals and a trophy. Eagle Club took home 100,000 cedis, a set of jersey, six football boots and medals while the third placed to 16th teams received 40,000 cedis each.
In the basketball competition, Northern Rakers came first followed by Youth Home Rakers while Ridge Rakers placed third.
Harruna Abdallah won the cross-country race in the 15-kilometre boys division with a time of 46 minutes 51 seconds, followed by Sublime Abraham in 48 minutes, 27 seconds while Adam Abdulai placed third in 50 minutes 10 seconds.
Abiba Ibrahim came first in a time of 49 minutes, 54 seconds in the women's 10 kilometre race followed by Mokis Iddrisu in a time of 54 minutes four seconds while Latifa Mohammed came third in 54 minutes 37 seconds.
Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Northern Regional Minister, commended the organisers, saying after a hectic political campaign, it was necessary that the people calmed their nerves.
He said a lot of change had come to the country because of the innovations brought about by the NDC government.
Alhaji Iddi stressed the need for peace without which, he said, there cannot be any meaningful development.
"Let us demonstrate out love for peace and in so doing others will leave their parties and join the NDC. By our actions and utterances, we can have politics without bitterness and rancour."
Alhaji B.A. Fuseini, Ghana's Ambassador to Libya, said the games were in honour of the untiring efforts of the youth since it is the belief of the NDC that its strength lies in the contribution from the youth and women.
He said the NDC is worried about certain negative political developments in the country, citing incidents of violence.
Alhaji Fuseini said what the country needs now is an obedient, hard- working, virile and serviceable youth who can contribute meaningfully to the nation's socio-economic development.
He said the north has not only experienced the effects of violence and conflicts but has also suffered from these and therefore stressed the need for the people to learn from experience and desist from acts of violence.
Dr. Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku, the NDC parliamentary candidate for Gukpegu-Sabonjida who donated the trophies, medals, jerseys and other prizes, said the games were to foster unity and bring healthy relationship amongst the people.
Mr John Bawa, Ghana's Ambassador to Russia, Mr Mohammed Alhassan Adams, Tamale Municipal Chief Executive and Alhaji Iddrisu Kpenaa, chairman of the Constituency, presented prizes to the participating sportsmen and women.
