Organisers of the third edition of the Kwahu Easter Marathon (KEM) have announced mouthwatering cash prizes for the 2020 edition of the event scheduled for April 11.
In the male category, the winner will pocket a cool GH¢10,000, considered one of the attractive prizes on the local sporting scene.
The first runner up will take home GH¢5,000 with the second runner up also expected to smile home with GH¢1,500.
This came to light at the official launch of the 21km marathon on Tuesday at the MJ Grand Hotel at East Legon, in Accra.
Mr William D. Ezah, a Project Coordinator at Medivent Consult, the organisers
of the event disclosed that the winner in the women division will pocket
GH¢5,000 with the first runner up taking home a cash prize of GH¢2,500 and
GH¢1,500 for the second runner up.
He said the event held in conjunction with the Kwahu Traditional Council (KTC) has undergone several modifications to make it attractive to athletes not only in Ghana but outside the borders of the country, adding that they anticipate an increase in its patronage.
Additionally, the winner of the 2020 edition will be flown by ASKY Airline, a sponsor of this year’s event, to South Africa for an international marathon later this year to boost his/her capabilities.
“We are hoping to be one of the major marathons in the country and indeed on the international level, as we seek to unearth and develop talents,” he said.Nana Obeng Akrofi Darte I, Mpraeso Baamuhene of KTC who launched the event said the desire to promote sports tourism in Kwahu with the marathon also gives the Kwahu Easter celebration a good and positive image.
He urged sponsors to come on board to support the event and was hopeful that the marathon in the coming year would become a big event on the sporting calendar of the nation.
Mr Bawah Fuseini, General Secretary of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), in his remarks was elated at the improved nature of the marathon and remained hopeful that it would receive recognition by IAAF in the coming years.
Other sponsors of the marathon include GOIL, Ghana Gas Company, Elbee Appliances, Golden Tree Chocolate, ASKY Airlines, Valbona, Teikma Sports Wear, Ashfoam, Parin Africa and MJ Grand Hotel. –GNA
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
