ASHBA inter colleges sports festival opens

Kumasi, April 4, GNA - Tne eighth edition of the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo inter-training colleges sports festival opened in Kumasi on Monday.

It would involve soccer, volleyball, table tennis, netball and athletics.

The competition being organised by the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Training Colleges Sports Association (ASHBA), is a prelude to the impending 2006 National Teacher Training Colleges Sports Festival to be held in Accra.

The competition was therefore to select a formidable zonal team for the festival.

Opening it, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive in a speech read on her behalf, said the government would continue to support sporting activities to enhance good health, reduce poverty and encourage national and international integration. This, she said, explained why physical education in the educational reforms was given prominence and was studied both theoretically and practically by all pupils and students.

Madam Appiagyei urged the participants and officials to demonstrate a high sense of maturity, discipline and sensible mode of behaviour.

Mr Gregory N. Bagbio, Principal of Atebubu Training College who is the chairman of ASHBA, advised both participants, supporters of the various colleges and officiating officials to be law abiding and observe the rules of the competition.

Kwame Kewa Nensom of Berekum Training College came first in the 1,500 metres men's event with the time of 4:18.1 secs. He was followed by Samuel Ofosu of Akrokerri Training College with the time of 4:18.2 secs with Bismark Owusu Kuranchie of Saint Joseph's Training College coming third with a time of 4:25.6 secs.

Suraiyatu Mohammed of Saint Louis Training came first in the women's 1,500 metres with the time of 5:37.6 secs with Precious Konadu Boateng of Wesley College taking the second position with the time of 5:37.8 secs and Philomena Yelnona of Berekum Training placing third with the time of 5:40.5 secs.

Wesley College beat Atebubu Training College 4-2 in a penalty shoot out in the opening soccer match after goalless drawn game.