Controversy rocks Accra Milo Marathon

Year in year out controversy seems to rock the Accra Milo Marathon. Despite assurance from the assistant brands manager of Nestle Ghana Limited, Marilyn Agyeiwaa Ofori, that security will be beefed up this year round, the case was no different.

The beef up in the number of security personnel was directed at checking that athletes would not cheat by joining in at points along the route. Checks and balances were employed in the form of ribbons and wristbands at various points of the race.

Yet, some athletes managed to sneak their way through. Some were found out, while there were allegations of some athletes not being nabbed.

All of these do not top the most interesting occurrence on the day. One athlete had to swear by a local deity, so he could get what he called ‘justice’.

Godwin Oduro, a second year student of the University of Ghana, Legon had a lot to say about the frustrations faced in the Accra Milo Marathon.

Godwin Oduro participated in the 26th edition of the Accra Milo Marathon

He narrated his ordeal to AllSports and our cameras were there to capture the controversial spectacle.

He told us that there were manipulations by officials for some favoured athletes, but his ordeal started with the purchase of the registration forms. He said the forms were supposedly finished as at Wednesday (19^thSeptember) but he and some others got to purchase the forms at 8pm on Thursday (20^th September) at an inflated price of Gh¢ 20 instead of Gh¢ 5.

Now, on the day of the race, having run the whole 42.2km race, he was told at the finish line that he had been disqualified because it was believed he had cheated. He was livid and none of his remonstrations could persuade the officials to listen to him.

Godwin Oduro threatening to invoke ‘Antoa’

Godwin Oduro still threatening

At this point, he swore by a local Ghanaian deity to frighten the officials, and it worked very well for him.

“I begged them with Jesus, but they would not even listen to me,” Godwin said.

“So I had no option but to threaten them with what would scare them. I told them that I would curse by ‘Antoa’. And they called me to give me a tag for my position.” he said.

Frustrated Godwin

“Initially, I was given a tag for 33^rd, but when they disqualified me they took it away. So the final tag I was given was for the 40^th position.”

Asked about why he employed such means, he said he was pushed to that point because he was frustrated.

“You know, some Ghanaians say God is slow to act and He may not even act because He will show mercy. So I used what I knew would scare them.”

“I used to train with one coach by name Coach Zebra, who was an official at the finish line, and I know what he dabbles in.”

“I don’t believe in ‘Antoa’ but under the circumstances, I was pushed to use that threat.”

The Mathematics and Economics student, who participated in the All University Games in China last year, also cited some more vices that officials engage in.

“The officials have some of their own athletes competing, so they reserve some of the position tags for them. You will notice that you came ahead of someone and you were given let’s say a tag for 50^th but someone came after you and he will be given a tag for 35^th and this is not fair.” he said.

This allegation was also corroborated by some participants who were witnessing the interview.

Asked how he felt about a Kenyan winning the event, he said it would push Ghanaians to work harder.

“It’s unfortunate for us that a Ghanaian couldn’t win, but it could be a good thing because it will make us work harder.”

He also had an appeal.

“Also I want to plead with the National Sports Council and authorities of the Universities to help long distance runners participate in external tournaments. The usually exclude long distance disciplines but this does not help Ghana.” he concluded.

In a related issue, the second-placed mass sports male runner, Yandal Joseph of the Ghana Police Force, said that a non-Ghanaian winning the tournament could be a blessing in disguise.

Yandal Joseph

“We can look at this as a blessing in disguise because it could be a mental push for the Ghanaians to do much more.” Joseph said.

“The only thing is that when we [Ghanaians] participate in similar international tournaments and we win, our price package is still less than the first athlete from that country. It happened when we went to Burkina Faso. But it just shows that Ghana is very fair.”

We hope the next event will see a reduction in the number of these incidences which mar the hard work of organizers and sponsors.

Posted on September 22, 2012

 

Kenyan wins 26th Accra Milo Marathon event

For the second time in the 27-year history of the event, a non-Ghanaian has won the Accra Milo Marathon.

– Alex Kimeli, winner of the 26th edition

Kenyan Alex Kimeli emerged the winner of the grand prize ahead of the numerous other Ghanaian athletes, with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes.

– Alex Kimeli, about to cross the finish line

Kimeli follows in the footsteps of Nigerian Hagack Gideon, who won the event in 1994.

At the coronation event, Kimeli was presented with the coveted GH¢ 10,000 grand prize and assorted products from sponsors Nestle and Voltic.

The 2^nd place went to Yandal Joseph, with the Ghana Police Force, who also walked away with GH¢ 7,000 and products from sponsors Nestle and Voltic. While the 3^rd position went to Seth Nyamaa-Boadi, a student from the University of Education, Winneba. He walked away with GH¢ 5,000 and products from the sponsors.

– Alex (middle) flanked by Joseph (left) and Seth (right)

 

When AllSports spoke to Kimeli, he expressed delight at his win, but talked about the lack of stiff competition.

“I’m very happy to have won this event, especially as it is an international win for me.”

“To be honest, I could have done better. If there was competition, I would have clocked a better time. You know, the weather in Ghana is much more humid, which makes it more difficult to run. But apart from that, the other competitors didn’t push me,” he said.

“When we started the race, there were a number of athletes who were with me. But when we got to the 25 kilometre mark, I looked back and there was no one with me. So I ran at my own pace through to the finish.”

“I didn’t feel pushed. But it’s still a good win.”

We also asked him about his plans for the future.

“I will go back and see my schedule with my coach and decide what to do next. I have a competition lined up but I will keep training and make plans for more competitions.”

One name that was conspicuously missing was that of five-time champion, David Zigah. He placed 9^th this time round. He last won the title in 2006.

The 42.2km race also had the females competing and Elizabeth Bortsor of Ghana Police came 1^st with a time of 3:02:15. Elizabeth started running at age 10 and won the Junior event three times. Having come 2^ndlast year, it was very gratifying for her to will the ultimate prize this year. She also walked away with GH¢ 10,000 grand prize and assorted products from sponsors Nestle and Voltic.

– Elizabeth Bortsor, 1st place

Gifty Abbey, with Prisons Service who happened to place 3^rd last year, came 2^nd with a time of 3:08:21. Gifty was awarded GH¢ 7,000 and products from sponsors.

The 3^rd place finish went to Josephine Kwakye with a time of 3:13:33. Josephine, who is also with Ghana Police, placed 7^th last year. She was awarded GH¢ 5,000 and also got products from the sponsors.

Mr. Daniel Tackie Welbeck, who is the Chairman of the Dansoman Keep Fit Club addressed the gathering and extolled the works of Nestle, who have consistently sponsored the event all these years. He also talked about the importance and need to exercise stressing on its health benefits.

– Mr. Daniel Tackie Welbeck, Chairman of the Dansoman Keep Fit Club

He also said that the club has decided to start a Mini Olympics next year, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, to unearth and nurture future talents. He appealed to Nestle, the financial institutions and corporate bodies to sustain this concept.

The Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Ltd., Mr. Moataz El Hout, also addressed the gathering and congratulated all winners and participants. He said that the aim of Nestle is to unearth talents who, in the next few years, will shine for Ghana at subsequent Olympic Games.

Mr. Moataz El Hout, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Ltd.

There was no shortage of fun and entertainment as children from St. Mary’s Primary School put up an acrobatic display.

– Girls from St. Mary’s Primary School

The toast of the entertainment session was a performance by Ronnie Coches of the group ‘Buk Bak’ and pope Skinny, as they got the crown going with their songs, old and new.

– Pope Skinny and Ronnie Coches of ‘Buk Bak’ Fame

There was a category for boys and girls under the age of 15. Below is a list of the winners.

Boys

1. Mustapha Alhassan – Ashanti Region
2. Segbefia Seyeram – Volta region
3. Phillip Apuri – Upper East Region

Girls

1. Sakat Lariba – Upper East Region
2. Amevor Jessica – Volta region
3. Sagbil Sandra – Upper East Region

Overall, it was a well-attended event with many participants, and was largely successful.

Posted on September 21, 2012

 

No cheating at this year’s Accra Milo Marathon

When this year’s edition of the Accra Milo Marathon comes off on Friday, 21^st September, there will be heightened security to check runners who may attempt to cheat.

Over the years, concerns have been raised about some athletes who employ dubious means to cover the distance and reach the final at the expense of others.

But the 26^th edition of the Accra Milo Marathon will see an increase in the number of security personnel at various points to check this vice.

The annual sporting event will see over two thousand men and women competing for prizes ranging from cash to Milo products. The Under 15 category starts from the Kaneshie Complex while the mass event starts from the Nungua barrier “the point” in the early hours of Friday, finishing at the Alhaji Sly Tetteh Park at Dansoman.

In an interview with Asempa FM, assistant brands manager of Nestle Ghana Limited Marilyn Agyeiwaa Ofori, bemoaned the negative practice and stressed that security will be tightened to make sure no one gets away with it.

“Any athlete who fails to compete in accordance to the rules governing competition will be arrested by the police, because over the years there have been complaints on how some runners board vehicles during the competition and later join the race middle way at the expense of others,” she said.

“But this time police officers will be there in their numbers to arrest all culprits.”

Last year’s edition was won by William Akuka Awunime who beat five-time winners Godwin Adukpo and David Zigah.

The winner of the 42.2km race will receive GH¢ 10, 000, with the first runner up going home with GH¢ 7, 000 whiles the second runner up will get GH¢ 5, 000 with lots of products from the sponsors.

Posted on September 20, 2012