Fifty-Six Senior High and Technical Schools are expected to take part in the maiden National Invitational Students Athletics Championship (NISAC) to be held at the newly constructed University of Ghana Sports Complex.
The championship, a brainchild of Ghana Athletics (GA) and Citi TV, is scheduled for February 24-28 and is expected to be a test event for the newly fixed athletics tracks and other infrastructure.
Ms Philippina Frimpong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GA, told the Times Sports in an interview yesterday, that the five-day event would attract over 2000 top athletes at that level of competition from all 16 regions of the country.
Leading the Greater Accra region’s onslaught on the championship will be the St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School with the likes of Achimota School, Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Legon, West Africa Senior High (SHS), Accra Academy and Tema Technical Institute also expected to provide stiff opposition.
Other schools from the host region includes New Century Technical Institute in Dansoman, Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC), Odorgonno SHS, Madina Technical Institute, Labone SHS and Tema Secondary School.
From the Northern region comes Ghana SHS in Tamale, Tamale SHS and Dabokpa Technical Institute; Bono East Region would have Kintampo SHS and Nkoranza Technical Institute; Volta Region would have Mawuli Senior High, Kpando Technical Institute and Comboni Technical Institute.
T.I Ahmadiyya SHS will lead the Ashanti region challenge with other formidable institutions including the Osei Kyerewire Senior High School, Opoku Ware SHS, Kumasi Technical Institute and Islamic SHS also expected to cause an upset.
Three schools including Walewale Technical Institute, Nalerigu SHS and Kpasikpe STEM will represent the North East region; with Sunyani SHS and Don Bosco Vocational/Technical Institute for the Bono Region and Fr. Dogli Memorial Technical Institute and Dambai SHS representing the Oti Region.
St. Augustine College will lead the Central Region contingents that includes Mfantsipim School, Adisadel College, Edinaman SHS, Biriwa Technical Institute and Swedru SHS with Damango SHS and Bole Senior High School challenging from the Savannah region.
Expected to compete from the Western Region are Ghana Secondary Technical School and Takoradi Technical Institute; Wa Senior High School and Wa Technical Institute will compete from the Upper West Region, while Goaso SHS and Serwaa Kesse SHS represent the Ahafo Region.
The Upper East Region will have Bolgatanga SHS and Bolgatanga Technical Institute with Sefwi Wiawso SHS and Bibiani SHS competing for the Western North Region.
Eastern Region will be represented by six schools including St. Paul Technical Institute, Pope John’s SHS, Okuapeman SHS, Ghana SHS, Koforidua Senior High/Technical School and the Akwatia Technical Institute.
According to Ms Frimpong, preparation for the event has reached an advanced stage with the various contingents expected to arrive next week.
“Most of the athletes are eager to participate in the championship. We expect a very keen competition because the quality of facilities would surely motivate the young athletes to give their best.”
She said the championship would become a permanent feature on the GA calendar as it seeks to revive athletics on the local scene.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
