Takoradi, Sept. 15 GNA - Tension is mounting between the athletes and organisers of the Ghana Telecom Olympic Marathon and ROK FM, a Takoradi Based radio station over unfulfilled promises made before the event. The marathon, which was held on 9 September this year, attracted over 250 participants aged between six and 66 years. The participants paid between 10,000 cedis and 15,000 cedis each as participation fee for the event, which began at Inchaban and ended at the premises of ROK FM.
The event was marred by the looting some Vega products displayed at the gounds that was witnessed by officials of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the National and Regional Sports Council (NRSC). Ghana Telecom, Vega Foods, Unique Trust Financial Services, Ghapoha, Kendicks Pharmacy, Aqua Fill Mineral Water, Melcom, Elok Jewellery, Mercy Lodge, Mapees, SAEMA, Jossie's Touch Restaurant and Ahomka Sachet water were the main sponsors according to the organisers.
The aggrieved athletes who spoke to the GNA Sports in Takoradi, accused the management of ROK FM and the event organisers of "defrauding them and diverting the products and cash prizes meant for them=94. The management of ROK FM before the Marathon had advertised that it will give the winners of the marathon, fully connected mobile phones, cash prizes, Vega products and certificates among others. The group led by Daniel Papa Kwarteng said some of the participants travelled from Accra for the event only to return home with mere certificates.
Kwarteng said some of the athletes could not get water or minerals to refresh themselves after the event even though several quantities were on display.
He described the conduct of the organisers as very unsatisfactory, demoralizing and unfair since apart from them being deceived and defrauded most of the products were hidden from the contestants. Mr. Twintoh Walker, Event Coordinator of the Marathon when contacted on telephone said he travelled as soon as the marathon ended and was not in the position to tell whether the participants were denied their prizes or not.
He said Mr. G. Georges of the Marketing Department and Mr. Kofi Amissah, Programmes Manager of the station were his assistants and were the best to answer any questions.
When Amissah was contacted he also said apart from Mr. Richie Osei Kuffuor, the Chief executive Officer (CEO) of the ROK FM station, he was not in a position to comment on the issue.
It would be recalled that on Sept. 9, the FM station organised the first GT Olympic Run as part of activities marking its second anniversary celebrations in the region.
Only 24 prizes were presented to the first to third positions in the Juvenile, Elderly, Physically Challenged and Main events of the day. All efforts to reach Mr. Kufuor proved futile as he was said to have travelled. 15 Sept. 06
Takoradi, Sept. 15 GNA - Tension is mounting between the athletes and organisers of the Ghana Telecom Olympic Marathon and ROK FM, a Takoradi Based radio station over unfulfilled promises made before the event. The marathon, which was held on 9 September this year, attracted over 250 participants aged between six and 66 years. The participants paid between 10,000 cedis and 15,000 cedis each as participation fee for the event, which began at Inchaban and ended at the premises of ROK FM.
The event was marred by the looting some Vega products displayed at the gounds that was witnessed by officials of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the National and Regional Sports Council (NRSC). Ghana Telecom, Vega Foods, Unique Trust Financial Services, Ghapoha, Kendicks Pharmacy, Aqua Fill Mineral Water, Melcom, Elok Jewellery, Mercy Lodge, Mapees, SAEMA, Jossie's Touch Restaurant and Ahomka Sachet water were the main sponsors according to the organisers.
The aggrieved athletes who spoke to the GNA Sports in Takoradi, accused the management of ROK FM and the event organisers of "defrauding them and diverting the products and cash prizes meant for them=94. The management of ROK FM before the Marathon had advertised that it will give the winners of the marathon, fully connected mobile phones, cash prizes, Vega products and certificates among others. The group led by Daniel Papa Kwarteng said some of the participants travelled from Accra for the event only to return home with mere certificates.
Kwarteng said some of the athletes could not get water or minerals to refresh themselves after the event even though several quantities were on display.
He described the conduct of the organisers as very unsatisfactory, demoralizing and unfair since apart from them being deceived and defrauded most of the products were hidden from the contestants. Mr. Twintoh Walker, Event Coordinator of the Marathon when contacted on telephone said he travelled as soon as the marathon ended and was not in the position to tell whether the participants were denied their prizes or not.
He said Mr. G. Georges of the Marketing Department and Mr. Kofi Amissah, Programmes Manager of the station were his assistants and were the best to answer any questions.
When Amissah was contacted he also said apart from Mr. Richie Osei Kuffuor, the Chief executive Officer (CEO) of the ROK FM station, he was not in a position to comment on the issue.
It would be recalled that on Sept. 9, the FM station organised the first GT Olympic Run as part of activities marking its second anniversary celebrations in the region.
Only 24 prizes were presented to the first to third positions in the Juvenile, Elderly, Physically Challenged and Main events of the day. All efforts to reach Mr. Kufuor proved futile as he was said to have travelled. 15 Sept. 06
