WALK NEWS : Monthly News Letter

VISCO WALKING CLUB IN GHANA FOR OCTOBER

ASUMANG TO LEAD WEST AFRICAN WALKERS The top walkers in Ghana held a meeting with their Nigerian counterparts after the just ended Fetu Afahye walk at Savoy Hotel. Some of the issues which were discussed included how to promote walking in the West African sub-region, how to get sponsorship for the sport and how to help the Nigerian walkers to join their Ghanaian Counterparts for international competitions including the World Walking Cup. At the meeting the Nigerians indicated that they would want Asumang to be their spokesperson, because their short stay in Ghana and with Asumang has revealed that he has got a lot of knowledge on walking. They therefore thought he would be the right person to help in this direction. After showing them some walking tapes and visiting some of the companies who have been sponsoring walking in Ghana like Energizer, Biriwa Beach Hotel, Parley Biscuit, Voltic Mineral Water and Savoy Hotel.

In his acceptance speech, Vincent Asumang indicated that most part of his time has been dedicated to the development of walking in Ghana and in the sub-region and that is why the Nigerians had been invited to take part in the Fetu Afahye walk. He also reiterated the fact that he cannot work without the support of the Nigerian Athletics Federation and the Ghana Athletics Association.

Asumang also noted that there is the need for West Africa to get its own form of competition, which could bear the name, West African Race Walking Cup and African race walking cup.

He said that since signs are positive towards the formation of the association he would welcome ideas and suggestion from all quarters towards the realization the goal.

The Nigerians introduced Vincent Asumang to the Nigerian high commissioners representative in the person of Ana Kuetsea, head of Chancery in Accra to assist Asumang whenever he calls on them. ACCRA MILO MARATHON WALK RESULTS Two categories of 20km and 50km race walking competitions were held on September 21, 2002 alongside the Accra Milo Marathon, which saw a crack field of walkers participate.

In the 20km category walk, in-from Ahmed Tijani of the Ghana Forces Navy won first position clocking 1:32:23, while Muda Musah of Accra Institute of Engineers took second position having clocked 1:33:56 and ace walker Vicent Asumang third with a time of 1:34: 40.

In the 50km competition Ahmed Ali of Accra won first position in a time of 4:30:26, with Yaw Fordjour also of Accra placing second in 4:32:40, Stanley Briamah of Cape Coast was third in 4:32:41.

Ace walker Asumang did not take part in his favorite 50km race because of an aggravated ankle injury on the advice of coach Albert Nukpezah. An assortment of prizes were donated to all participants by Nestle Gh Ltd, Energizer, Parlays Biscuits. and Voltic Mineral Water.

Later in the day, the organising secretary of Visco Walking Club informed that selected walkers will take part in the Netherland National Championships, for final selection to the World Walking Cup.

Below are results of the two competitions.

20KM RESULT

POSITION NAME TIME

1 AHMED TIJANI 1:32:23

2 MUDA MUSAH 1:33:56

3 VICENT ASUMANG 1:34:40

4 ERIC AMPADU 1:35:10

5 SURO IDDRISSU 1:35:46

6 BENJAMIN ANNA 1:36:01

7 PRINCE FREMPONG 1:36:38

8 FRANCIS HALM 1:44:54

9 BRIGHT ATTAH 1:45:22

10 ROBERT ANYIM 1:45:39

50KM RESULTS

POSITION NAME TIME

1 AHMED ALI 4:30:26

2 YAW FORDJOUR 4:32:40

3 STANLEY BRAIMAH 4:32:41!

4 ANTsHONY ADJEI 4:32:48

5 ANDREWS ASANTE 4:34:10

6 ALBERT KESSE 4:34:22

7 JOHN SEGBE 4:36:11

8 JEANDY KWOFIE 4:39:23

9 THOMAS QUAICOE 4:39:23

10 JOSHUA ACQUAH 4:54:46

NEW BALANCE AND VICI INC SPONSOR GHANA WALKERS

Foreign coach for VISCO WALKING CLUB Mr. Dave McGovern of United States World Class Racewalking, has landed two big sponsorship deals for Ghanaian walkers slated to compete in the World Walking Cup in Torino, Italy.

The sponsorship constitutes racewalking shoes, shoe inserts and a number of Tee Shirts which came through the benevolence of NEW BALANCE which supplied the shoes, and VICI incorporated which gave out the Tee Shirts.

It will be recalled that Mr. McGovern personally sought for a number of racewalking shoes from American walkers, for the Visco Walking Club some two months ago.

He has never lost the urge to provide inspirational and material support to the Ghanaian race walker.

Visco Walking Club. P.O. BOX 416, CAPE COAST, GHANA,

WEST- AFRICA. TEL:00233-20-8167623 FAX: 00233-21-226553