By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Akatsi (V/R), Aug. 23, GNA – Twenty selected soccer boys drawn from various districts across the Volta Region have commenced a camping exercise at Akatsi in preparation for the upcoming Inter-Regional Basic Schools Sports Festival.
The 20 boys selected to represent the Region in were Ametefe Erasmus and Korve Cephas, both of North Tongu, Amenafa Jonas of Afadzato South, Adzidogbo Nelson of Keta, Anokye Francis of North Dayi, Henyo Richard of Ketu South, Tetteh Bismark of Ho West, and Asembi Samuel of Ho.
Also in the team are Gbedzo Ruben of Kpando, Ackah Godsway of Afadzato South; Blevi Caleb of Hohoe, Kugblenu Jeff and Korve Joseph, both of North Tongu; Letsa Elisha of South Tongu, Gosu Elikplim of Ketu North, and Attevor Eric of Anloga.
The rest of the contingent are Nortmenyo Mathew of Hohoe; Amoah Richard of South Tongu, Akpaglo Prince of Ziope, and Kototini Jude of Ketu South, completing the 20-man squad drawn from 15 districts across the Region.
The camping exercise at Akatsi, was part of the Region’s preparations to field a strong and competitive team at the tournament, which brings together the best young athletes from across the country to compete in soccer, volleyball, athletics, among others.
Mr Roger Tey, the Volta Regional Physical Education (PE) Coordinator, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that the boys, who were carefully selected through a rigorous screening process at the district level, would be put through their paces by a team of coaches ahead of the tournament to ensure they were in top form to represent the Region creditably.
“Our contingents are expected to depart the Region for the venue of the tournament on Tuesday, the players remain disciplined and focused, and we are poised to deliver our maximum performance,” he said.
The Regional PE Coordinator used the opportunity to express appreciation to the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, for his generous donation of GHS 15,000 towards the preparation of the regional team, a gesture he described as a timely boost to the team’s preparations.
He also commended Togbui Tenuvi II for donating GHS 2,000 to support the Regional contingent and stated that such support from public-spirited individuals and traditional leaders was critical to helping the Region unearth and nurture young sporting talent.
“We are appealing to other well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies and institutions within the Region to emulate the gesture of Mr Ahiafor and Togbui Tenuvi II by supporting the team ahead of our departure, because adequate logistics remained key to the team’s performance at the tournament.”
Beyond the 20-man boys’ soccer team, the Region is also fielding a girls’ soccer team made up of players including Tingena Bernice (Ho), Grofa Emefa, Klakami Elikplim and Apreh Favour, all of North Tongu, Gedza Melody, Baniba Ernestina and Kumeke Hannah, all of Ketu South, among other players drawn from Central Tongu, South Dayi, South Tongu, Akatsi North, Akatsi South, Anloga and North Dayi districts.
The Region’s volleyball contingent, compiled by the Volleyball Coordinator, Mr Stanley Kwawuni, features boys such as Nartey Nutakor and Meside Adzevi, both of South Tongu and Ketu South respectively, Simon Akah of North Dayi, Christopher Eklu of Afadzato South, and John Kumani of Hohoe, alongside other selected players.
The girls’ volleyball team, compiled by the Volleyball Coordinators, also includes players drawn from Ketu South, Anloga, Hohoe and Central Tongu districts, who join their male counterparts in camping ahead of the tournament.
On the athletics front, the boys’ team is made up of athletes including Agla Courage and Damey Robert, who will compete in the 1,500m and 800m events, Doku Nutifafa, Ametefe Senanu, Praha Adaf and Adzidogbo Nelson in the 3,000m, and Atsyege Abraham and Amenorhu Michael in the High Jump, drawn from Anloga, South Tongu, North Tongu, Akatsi South, North Dayi, Keta and Akatsi North districts.
Other selected boys athletes include Kini Brilliant, Gamor Philip, Prince Normachie, Wisdom Markli and Garr Peter for the 400m; Kani Saburu and Ahadzi Derick for the Long Jump; Amuzu Hope and Hodzozoe Anthony for the Shot Put; and Ahetor Julius Kofi and Vordzorgbe Seyram for the Triple Jump, representing Ketu South, Anloga, Akatsi North, Kpando, Keta and Hohoe districts.
The girls’ athletics team also boasts of strong representation, with athletes such as Agbayizah Naomi and Gbeda Nyamavor of Ketu South set to compete in the sprints, Amesu Melisa of Ho Municipal and Akani Linda of Anloga in the 400m, and Edzani Emmanuella of Ho Municipal in the 800m, alongside Dukpo Cate of Ketu North and Ehe Camille-Ayeh of Anloga, who will fly the Region’s flag in the field events.
Mr Tey expressed optimism that with the level of preparation, dedication of the coaches and the support received from benefactors, the Volta Region contingent would put up an impressive performance at the tournament and return home with laurels.
He, however, reiterated the call on parents, guardians and the general public to continue to pray for and support the young athletes as they camp and travel to represent the Region, adding that their success at the tournament would inspire many young talents across the Region to take up sports.
The Athletics were drawn from districts including Ketu South, Ketu North, Anloga, Keta, Akatsi North, Akatsi South, Hohoe, Kpando, Ho Municipal, Ho West, North Tongu, South Tongu, Central Tongu, North Dayi, South Dayi, Afadzato South and Ziope.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade