Aziz Zakari’s ban causes drugs rethink

Ghanaian athletics is already counting the cost of top sprinter Aziz Zakari's impending absence from the international scene.

Ranked the third best 100m runner in the world, Zakari faces a mandatory two-year ban after traces of the steroid Stanozolol was found in his urine sample last April.

The ban effectively deprives the nation of a potential medal at the upcoming African Athletics Championships in Mauritius next month.

The Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association, Sandy Agyemang says though his absence will cost the country dearly, it should challenge us to unearth fresh world-class athletes.

"It's time to unearth new talents to take over Aziz.

"We would need world-class athletes with quality. Zakari's absence is tough challegne for us all."