Four hundred metre record holder Solomon Amegatse has bemoaned the fallen standards
of the
sport (athletics) that brought him so much fame and opportunities.
However, the former Olympian has given the assurance that, he together with other
former Ghanaian athletes in the US, where he is currently based are putting pieces
together to revamp the sport.
“We the past athletes in the States are putting things together to refurbish
athletics to help the young ones,” he told “Where are they?” on Happy FM.
He revealed that news about the downward trend of athletics in Ghana has saddened
himself and his sprinting mates, and they have purposed to restore the sport’s
lost fortunes saying, “We hear there are no more inter colleges athletics
competitions. We all came from the grassroots.”
He added: “What really made us what we are today is no more, and it is very
unfortunate, hence the fallen standards.”
Nicknamed “Paa Solo”, he recalls his days at the Accra Technical Training Centre
(ATTC) with nostalgia, describing it as magical. “I can remember those days like
yesterday and I do miss those days,” said the 4x4 legend.
In his response to what made athletics adorable during his days, he noted that: “It
was the jam-packed fans, the electrifying atmosphere, the fans coming to watch new
athletes was the secrete.”
He revealed that the exploits of their predecessors stirred them to give their best
short stating, “It was interesting in those days, you wanted to be part of those who
have made it in the sport and money was not our primary focus.”
The National Seniors and Juniors championships with the mobil games are no more.
There are told. He reiterated.
To him, the sport gave him the opportunity to travel to the US to further his
education and expressed profuse thanks to all who contributed in one way or the
other to his success as an athlete.
Solo, who raced alongside athletes like Eugene Koranteng, the late Henry Hagan, John
Myles Mills, Timothy Hesse, Kennedy Osei, among others pointed out that injuries
and a little bit of everything compelled him to hang his spikes.
