Foreign athletes coming for Ghana grand prix

A host of international athletes are set to feature in the first Ghana athletics grand prix scheduled for Kumasi in August.

The event comes off at the Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday, August 6 with the best of Ghana expected to go head-to-head against their international counterparts.

Secretary General of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Bawa Fuseini told this reporter in Accra on Tuesday that they are expecting up to 18 foreign athletes to compete.

The athletes are expected to come from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, France, Jamaica, Canada and the United States among others.

"We are expecting Sarah Nambawa from Uganda, Tianna Madison from the US, Linda Simon from France, Stanley Gbagbeke from Nigeria as well as Keith Nkrumah a US based athlete who has decided to run for Ghana.

He added, "They should provide quality opposition to the best that Ghana has to offer in the sprints, long and triple jump, shot put, javelin, 1500m and the 3000m.

Ghana's team is expected to be dominated by athletes based outside with the likes of Ignatius Gaisah, Margaret Simpson, Rosina Amenebede, Appiah Kubi and Beatrice Gyaman, in line to compete.

Mr. Bawa said locally based athletes would be given the opportunity to test their mettle, but would have to equal or beat the qualifying mark the GAA has set.

The upcoming National Unity Games provides them an opportunity to meat the qualifying standard for selection.

The August 6 grand prix forms part of the GAA's efforts towards the upliftment of the sport in Ghana with other competitions set to follow in the coming months..

This competition, also forms part of Ghana's preparations for the World Athletics Championships in August and September in Deagu, South Korea.

Writer's email: okotosports@yahoo.com