GHANA'S FASTEST HUMAN, MALE & FEMALE: THE SEARCH FOR GHANA

June 14, 2013  Accra, Ghana- Over the last decade or so, the world has seen the systematic rise of Jamaican athletics to its current pinnacle at the top of the global sprint order. Notably, it has not just been Usain Bolt, the Worlds fastest human but also the likes of his compatriots: Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Shirley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sherone Simpson, etc. NONE of these legends were discovered outside Jamaica and ALL train INSIDE Jamaica!! The Corporate World is investing heavily within Jamaica to discover the next generation of athletes!

Incidentally, Ghana, too, has a storied past in the sprints. Ghanas sprint athletes have mingled with the worlds best, with George Daniels even holding a world sprint record at one point. The likes of Mike Ahey, J. A. Addy, Alice Anum, Sandy Osei  Agyeman, Ohene Karikari, Hannah Afriyie, Ernest Obeng, Reks Brobby, the Myles-Mills brothers, Aziz Zakari, Vida Nsiah, Vida Anim, and the list goes on and on, in enumerating Ghanas great history of sprinters. These are all Ghanaian sprint gladiators who, in their day, made Ghana proud!

Unfortunately, over the past few decades that pipeline has dried up, such that it has become difficult for Ghana to find a new sprint hero to anchor our national hope and pride on. It is just possible that there could be many more sprint protégés yet to be discovered in Ghana who have the potential to become world-beaters.

Ghana has failed mainly because the two reliable sources of athletic talent; inter school sports and the security services sports have lacked investment and competition over the years.

The GFH concept is innovative yet simple and has all the ingredients of success. For example, Ghana is blessed with talent; the nation desires new sporting heroes; the concept has the approval of the Sports Minister, GAA, GOC and Corporate Ghana is ready to invest. There is also a HUGE prize money for the eventual winners that will be backed by effective marketing and media plans.

The competition is open to all, male and female and will take place at the District, Regional and National levels. These athletes will have TV and media coverage at all levels. For 2013, the competition will be at the national level only. Corporate Ghana will be encouraged to sponsor their own Olympian once this years competition comes to an end so that they can pay for their own Olympian to train and prepare for 2014,s competition. This way Corporate Ghana can take pride in their progress and have a personal stake in their Olympians positive future.

It is a WIN:WIN;WIN situation for all stakeholders:

The winning athletes stand to win a HUGE CASH prize money, lots of sponsors packages and eventually, international athletic scholarships

Corporate Ghana will have access to the mass market to promote their products and brands

The Ministry of Sports, GOC and GAA will see their athletic programs funded & executed

Ghana will have new sporting heroes in a popular sport that re-awakens

The media will have new and exciting programmes and news items to promote

Here are some comments from our stakeholders;
Honourable Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Minister of Youth and Sports: You guys have already got my pulse beating fast. Very comprehensive and clearly thought out program and strategy. You have my full backing and endorsement. Lets go go go go!!!

Professor Francis Dodoo,President GOC & GAA: The GAA fully supports the project- Ghanas Fastest Human (GFH)- and has asked the GOC to join it to officially endorse this concept and approach to athlete identification and development, so as to enable a platform for achieving great success at future international competitions.

Mr Maxwell Techie, CEO Tecno Phones Ghana (Title Sponsor): This is a fantastic concept that we are happy to invest in

Mrs Selom Cofie  Atta, Fidelity Bank: (Exclusive Bank Sponsor) Fidelity Bank is proud to be a part of this historic sporting event that will produce great athletic talent for Ghana

Mr Kofi Tsikata,Senior Communications Officer, World Bank (Sponsors of the Media Launch and Main Launch); This is one of the most brilliant ideas I have come across lately. Many people do not appreciate the link between sports and development. Apart from sports being crucial for the health and unity of a nation, sports is also a huge business and major sporting events like the Olympics and World Cup, are known to contribute hugely to the host countries gross domestic product.

Miss Christina Adjetey, Marketing Samsung Cameras:(Exclusive Camera Sponsor) This concept is truly amazing. We have been waiting for something like this

Mrs Dorothy Amoah, Proprietess Chic Optique: (Exclusive Optical Sponsor)  My father run for Ghana with Mike Ahey and others from that era and I am proud to be associated with this. The concept is also very perfect for our sports eyewear and other brands

Miss Shirley Acquaah-Harrison, Marketing Manager, LOreal:  We are very keen to be on this platform

Dr. Angel Chambers, CEO, Deyale Sports Centre: We are proud to be apart of the rejuvenation of this sport and look forward to doing our part to help find the next great Ghanaian sprinter

Ghanas Fastest Human (GFH)is an athletic event meant to address the imbalance in present day athletics and create a platform for the development of Ghana athletics from the grassroots. GFH is a project initiated by PROMOSPORT INTERNATIONAL LIMITED,a Ghanaian company established to promote sport as a business and to provide platforms for the involvement of Corporate Ghana in sports development.

GFH is about the 100 metres ONLY; to find the fastest man and woman in Ghana.

Ghanas Fastest Humanis a TV Reality Show, a Media Event and a Marketing Event that will unearth talent, provide entertainment, involve the nation, provide talking points, enable sponsors to showcase their products, introduce new heroes and unite the country.