Polytechnic Games ends in Sunyani

Sunyani, (B/A) May 15, GNA - The 20th edition of the 2005 Polytechnics Games held in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital ended at the weekend with the Sunyani Poly beating Takoradi Poly by a lone goal in the final of the men's soccer match.

Striker Edgar Sandoh scored the only goal through a penalty in the 40th minute after a striker of S-POLY who was in a good position to score was brought down by a defender of Takoradi in the penalty box. Referee Otis Oppong rightly whistled for the spot kick and hard working Sandoh beautifully displaced goalkeeper Amankwa Coffie for the opener, which turned out to be the winning goal. Players of the two sides started the tension-packed encounter as if their very lives depended on the outcome. For more than 15 minutes, the Takoradi boys were ahead and dominated play but their desire to walk the ball into the net deprived them of the opening goal.

Sensing danger, Owusu Ansah, captain of the Sunyani side marshalled his side and took control after 20 minutes and their incessant pressure won them the 40th minute penalty.

Both teams made substitutions after the recess and in the 58th Minute, Owusu Ansah who had earlier attracted the yellow card for rough play had a bright chance to score but shot wide. Play remained a ding-dong affair till the final whistle. Immediately after the match supporters of S-POLY in a frenzy mood carried shoulder high their players amidst cheers and singing in praise of the team.

Earlier, in the women's soccer final match, Sunyani Poly thrashed their Takoradi counterparts 4-0.

In the third-placed men's football encounter, Cape Coast Poly beat Koforidua Poly 5-4 on penalties after a goalless game. In the final athletic events, Takoradi Poly who swept most of the field and track events eventually emerged first in the men's division with 131.5 points followed by Cape Coast Poly with 119 points, Kumasi Poly, 73 points, Tamale Poly 59 points, Sunyani Poly 41.5 points,

Ho Poly 40 points, Accra Poly 16 points and Koforidua Poly 12 points. Bolgatanga Poly and Wa Poly had no rpt no points. In the women's athletics division, Tamale Poly took the first position

with 101 points followed by Takoradi Poly with 94 points, Cape Coast Poly, 88 points, Accra Poly, 65 points, Koforidua Poly 24 points, Ho Poly, 22 points, Kumasi Poly, 18 points and Sunyani Poly eight (rpt 8) points.

Wa and Bolgatanga Polytechnics once again had no point. In the volleyball matches, Tamale placed first in both the men's and women's divisions while Kumasi Poly won the men's badminton with Takoradi also winning the women's event. Cape Coast Poly won the men's table tennis competition while Sunyani Poly won the women's encounter. Apart from the trophies and certificates presented to the winning institutions and individual athletes, the Sunyani soccer team was presented with a set of JAKO-emborsed jerseys while the participating institutions had a football each and a hose for each player also donated by JAKO Sportswear Manufacturing Company, all costing 16.5 million cedis.

The presentation of the items was made on behalf of the Company by Mr. Lawrence Cudjoe Sarfo, Marketing Manager was assisted by Mr. Majer Kwame Baah, Brong-Ahafo Representative of the Company to present the items to the institutions and individual sports men and women.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, the Principal of Sunyani Poly and Chairman of the Conference of Polytechnic Principals thanked all those who in diverse ways assisted in the successful organization of the Games. The Games are held every two years and the 21st edition will be held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region. The Game Flag was handed over to Mrs. Smile Dzizi, Vice-Principal of Koforidua Poly. Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister who is also the acting Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive and Mrs. Akua Akubour Debrah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Ghana Education Service were among the dignitaries who graced the closing ceremony.