by Liquid Luna
colourful ceremony at Nima, a suburb of Accra.
Millicent Boadi of the Custom Excise & Preventive Service (CEPS),, who placed second in the female category and Akuka William Awunime of the University of Ghana, who was third in the male category would be representing Ghana at the Great Ethiopia Run on November 21this year and were presented with air tickets.
According to Amb Ashim Morton, Managing Partner of the Millennium Marathon Sports Ltd, the duo who made Ghana proud have secured sponsorship from Ethiopia Airlines to fly and run in Ethiopia, while Haile Gebrselassie has promised to take care of their accommodation and feeding.
Both Millicent Boadi and Akuka Awunime were elated to hear the good news announced by the Millennium Marathon Sports Company.
They assured yours truly of going to Ethiopia and winning the top prize like how the Ethiopians came to Ghana to win the two Peugeot cars at the maiden edition of the Millennium Marathon.
“We are very grateful to Ambassador Ashim Morton for giving us this chance to become international champions in our chosen field. We are not going to disgrace him and Ghana, we are going to show the world that we are also great runners from Ghana” said Millicent who once represented Ghana at the Amsterdam Marathon, placing seventh.
Akuka Awunime, on his part, said this is an opportunity he will use to propel himself to fame and will never disgrace his nation and the Millennium Marathon Company.
“I am going out there to revenge and I will use this opportunity to tell the world that Ghana does not only produce football stars, but also athletics stars. Indeed, I will prepare well this time and make sure I am the champion” said the new sensation of Ghana marathon whose idol is Haile Gebrselassie.
He placed third to Terefe Debela from Ethiopia and Kenya’s George Njorage by a few minutes and has promised to train hard to polish his finishing speed.
Millicent Boadi won $3,500 and some sponsors products for coming second, while Akuka Awunime got $1,500 plus products from the sponsors for placing third.
Their prize monies have been transferred to them through Airtel Money. Abdul Rahman Mohammmed , Sales & Marketing Manager of Ethiopia Airlines said his airline was very happy to be a stakeholder in the event that attracted a lot of people and hope to be with the Millennium Marathon in the coming years.
Nana Mankattah II, the Millennium Marathon Coordinator was optimistic that Boadi and Awunime can win the Ethiopia Great Run just as the two Ethiopians came to Ghana and took away two cars.
Meanwhile, the Millennium Marathon has been hailed as a very colourful and successful event. Over 20,000 people participated including the President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama, the Ministers of Health, Tourism, Sports and the Mayor of Accra, Hon Alfred Okoe Vandepuije.
