The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Professor Peter Twumasi, has inaugurated an 11-member Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Tamale to oversee preparations for the 2023 National Cross Country Championship in Savelugu.
The committee is chaired by the Municipal Chief Executive for Savelugu, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, and includes Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Kwame Amponfi Jnr; representative of the Minister for Youth and Sports, Bawa Shamideen; Northern Regional Sports Director, Salamatu Alhassan; and Professor Seidu Al-Hassan Mu-Azz of the University for Development Studies.
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Other members are Northern Regional Health Director Gariba Nasiru, Northern Regional Education Director Sandow Suly, Northern Regional Athletics Chairman Alhaji Chief T.A. Mahama, a representative of the Northern Regional Police Command, Mr Duut, media representative Musa Abdul Rahim, Mohammed Rufai and Abukari Iddi Yoona of Savelugu.
Addressing the committee, Prof. Twumasi urged the Northern Region to nurture and retain its talented athletes, noting that many promising competitors from the region eventually represent Greater Accra instead of their home region.
He expressed the hope that future national teams would reflect talent drawn from all parts of the country.
The NSA Director-General also encouraged the committee and stakeholders to take ownership of the championship, stressing that Savelugu had earned the right to host the event through merit.
According to him, the competition would serve as an important platform to discover emerging athletics talent capable of representing Ghana at international competitions.
Prof. Twumasi further urged organisers to maximise the tourism and economic opportunities associated with hosting the national event.
Northern Regional Minister Alhassan Shaibu, who was the special guest of honour, welcomed the opportunity for the region to host another major national sporting event, recalling its successful hosting of matches during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
He pledged the full support of the Regional Coordinating Council for the championship and appealed to the NSA and the government to refurbish the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium to better serve the people of the region.
Chairperson of the LOC, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, assured participants that the committee would provide excellent organisation, hospitality and reception for athletes and officials.
She expressed confidence that Savelugu would not only host a successful championship but also perform strongly in the competition.
Kwame Amponfi Jnr, Chairman of the National Planning Committee, reflected on the success of previous editions, particularly the 2022 event in Akim Oda, and called on the Regional Minister to support the committee in delivering another successful championship.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Athletics Association, Bawa Fuseini, thanked the Regional Minister for his support over the years and pledged the association’s commitment to providing logistics and internationally certified timing systems recognised by World Athletics.
The 2023 National Cross Country Championship was scheduled for February 25, 2023, with athletes from all 16 regions expected to compete for honours.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials of the Regional Coordinating Council and traditional leaders from the area.
