Walkers Return Home

A team of racewalkers from the VISCO WALKING CLUB which represented Ghana at the Rotterdam Racewalking competition held in the town of Zaandom and yet another one in Yverdan Switzerland, has returned home

Only two walkers namely Ahmed Tijani Sanni of the Ghana Armed Forces Navy, and Vincent Asumang of the Ghana National Fire Service represented the nation. In the first competition in Switzerland which covered 20km, Sanni chalked the 13th position from a field of 75 walkers spread over 10 countries. Due to technical reasons, his colleague Asumang, returned home to prepare for the All Africa Games scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria later in October.

Asumang had, because of flight delays, missed two crucial competitions in Holland and Belgium. Sanni however finished in an impressive time of 1:52:01 despite having had problems with the weather.

In Rotterdam, Holland the competition covered 30 km and was won by Sanni in a time of 2:41:21:4 well a! head of the first Dutch walker (a former Dutch champion on 20km and 50km) Petro Huntjens who completed in 2:54:27:2. The team returned via ALITALIA which has always been a cushion for Ghanaian racewalkers to lie on.

In seperate interviews with the two Ghanaian racewalkers, they were full of praise for Hans Van der Knaap for his immeasurable assistance including financial support and the provision of other emoluments. It will be recalled that Mr. Van der Knaap sponsored the ace walker Asumang to participate in competitions in Europe, as part of his preparations towards the Sydney Olympic Games.

Among the group which welcomed the team on arrival were Messrs Elom Togo, Peter Amoah, Akoto, Kofi Safo-Antwi and Sela Segbefia all executive members of the VISCO Walking Club of Ghana.

In welcoming the walkers, the executives praised the sponsorship field of Energizer, Biriwa Beach Hotel and Parlays Biscuit for making the trip successful.