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07.06.2006 Sports News

Merries, Chemsec Beat Them All

07.06.2006 LISTEN
By Graphic

St Mary's Secondary School (Merries) at Korle-Gonno, Accra, and Chemu Secondary School (CHEMSeC) in Tema won the Zone One edition of the 36th annual zonal athletics competition.

With 86 points and 72 points respectively, MERRIES and CHEMSEC took away the prestigious girls' and boys' trophies which were both won by Tema Secondary School (TEMASCO) last year at the Accra Sports Stadium.

TEMASCO, who could not defend the trophies, came second in the girls' category with 71 points and third in the boys' category with 45 points.

The Zone One event was very competitive. However, it did not favour those schools which had all their best athletes in the final year and, therefore, could not compete creditably in all the categories because of the ongoing West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Accra Academy and Ada Secondary School came last, though those schools have been noted for their excellent performance over the years.

One school which had its athletes winning all the long distance races was Amasaman Secondary. It was, therefore, not surprising that Niiquaye Kotei of the school was adjudged the Best and Most Promising Athlete.

He won the boys' 1,500-metre, 800-metre, and 5,000-metre races. For his prize, he received Cowbell products, books and certificates.

Gladys Engmann of St Mary's Secondary School was also adjudged the Best Female Athlete. She placed first in both the 400-metre and 800-metre races. She also received Cowbell products, books and certificates.

Accra Girls' Secondary and St John's Grammar schools were adjudged the Best Behaved Schools in both zones One and Two. Both schools took away trophies.

As usual, this year's competition was sponsored by Cowbell. Consequently, all athletes and their supporters were refreshed with Cowbell products.

Closing the meet, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, Mr Augustus Nii Lantey Cleland, congratulated all the athletes and their supporters for displaying a high sense of discipline.

He advised them to refrain from smoking and indulging in pre-marital sex, pointing out that those activities could have serious effects on their health and education.

Story By Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa

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