The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA),Prof. Peter Twumasi has inuagurated a seven (7) member Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Tamale to oversee the organisation of the Savelugu 2023 National Cross-country.

The Committee to be chaired by MCE for Savelugu, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu comprises of Mr Kwame Amponfi Jnr, Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Mr. Bawa Shamideen, representative of the Hon. Minister, Salamatu Alhassan, Regional Sports Director and Prof. Seidu Al-hassan Mu-Azz, University of Development Studies.

The rest are Gariba Nasiru, Regional Health Director, Mr. Sandow Suly, Regional Education Director, Alhaji Chief T. A Mahama, Chairman Northern Region Athletics, Mr Duut, Regional Police Command, Musa Abdul Rahim, Media Representative, Mohammed Rufai and Abukari Iddi, Yoona, Savelugu.

In his address, Prof Twumasi impressed on the region to own their athletes and utilize their talents for the good of mankind. He noted that the Northern Region has budding athletes in abundance, but most of the athletes end up competing for the Greater Accra Region instead of their home region and hoped that various National Teams would have colouration of the entire nation.

The NSA Boss further admonished the Northern Region and other stakeholders to own the National Cross Country being hosted by Savelugu reiterating that the Northern Region did not earn the hosting rights on a silver platter. According to him, the benefits aligned to the event cannot be quantified as it is set to be used as a tool to unearth budding talents that can represent the Region in any international tournament.

Prof Twumasi urged the LOC to also take advantage of the tourism and ecomomic benefits associated with hosting the National Cross Country.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Alhassan Shaibu, who was the special guest of honour for the ceremony, was pleased that his region is playing host to the entire country once again as they did during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2008). He pledged his Outfit's support for the Event.

The Northern Regional Minister also used the opportunity to appeal to the Director General of the National Sports Authority and the government, to refurbish the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium to serve the needs of the people.

Chairperson for the L.O.C, Hon. Ayishetu was optimistic that her Committee would provide exceptional organisation, reception and hospitality for participants and patrons of the marathon. She indicated that Saveulugu is not only hosting, but its going to host and win.

CEO of Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Mr Bawa Fuseini expressed his profound gratitude to the Regional Minister for the massive role he played in his life and pledged the Association's support to provide logistics and generate certified timing that is recognized by World Athletics during the Race.

The National Cross Country Competition is slated for 25th of February 2023 and Athletes from all 16 regions in Ghana would be competing for honours in the Marathon.

Dignitaries present at the LOC inauguration were Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Alhassan and traditional leaders of the area.

Source: Ghana/Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah