Paralympic Swimmer Steals Show … At Vita Milk National Open

A young paralympic swimmer, Bryan Baffour Akoto stole the show when he competed among able-bodied swimmers at the Vita Milk National Swimming Championships at Legon in Accra.

He won both the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, attracting the admiration of all spectators that thronged the venue for the five-hour competition.

High level competition that characterized the event impressed Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mustapha Ahmed.

He left the Swimming Arena highly impressed and convinced that given the needed support, swimming in the country would realize its full potential.

The Minister therefore promised his outfit's support for the sport and urged the Ghana Swimming Association as well as participants to continue their good works.

He told the media midway through the competition: 'It is a healthy exercise, and I must commend the Swimming Association for this exercise. From my observation, I have realized how passionate the participants are.

'The Association has provided the platform for these wonderful children to exhibit their potentials. Not everybody can play soccer; so I am really impressed with what I am seeing here today. It shows how gifted we are as a country.'

He added: 'As a Ministry, we will also do our bit to push the sport to the desired heights.'

Eight teams comprising GH Dolphins, Lincoln Community School , Ombi Swimming and Water Polo School, French School, North Legon Little Campus, University of  Ghana-Legon, Ashanti Region Swimming  Association and Anointed Dolphins, participated in the Vita Milk-sponsored event.

Winners on the day included 15-year-old multiple national record holder Abeiku Jackson, his brother Kow Jackson, Emil Kaijanen, Firdaus Ibrahim, Yakubu Ibrahim, Alex Weedon, Theodore Asampong, Angboxie, Louisa Koom, Runa Degrave and Mandy Langdon-Morris.

Some youngsters who showed promised were Emmanuel Ibrahim Maham and Marie Kpodo.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum