Ahead of the 2023 Aboakyre Cycling Race (ACR) to be held in Winneba, the Central Region, Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Paramount Chief of the Efutu Traditional Council, has called on the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) to give equal opportunity to all sportsmen and women.
Speaking at the launch of the ACR at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium, the Chief expressed his excitement to have cycling as part of this year's Aboakyer festival and hoped to adopt it annually.
He urged the GCF to allow athletes with different gender backgrounds to compete equally, noting that it was essential to harness the talents of both genders. He also advised the athletes to take their education seriously in addition to focusing on their sporting talents.
The Chief further stressed the importance of fair play, urging all participants to demonstrate their talents with respect for the spirit of sportsmanship. He stated that the Aboakyre festival had over the years been celebrated with various sporting disciplines, such as tennis and marathons, and cycling was a natural addition to the list.
“We are aware that Ghana hosted the Africa Road and Para Road cycling championship this year comprising twenty-two African countries, and 222 cyclists participated,” he added, “This is a remarkable feat, and we are happy to be a partner of the ACR together with the Winneba Sports College and the National Sports Authority to demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play.”
The Chief was accompanied by a host of dignitaries from the Winneba Sports College and the Aboakyire Planning Committee, including the Public Relations Officer, the Technical Director, the Management Member, and the Women's Commissioner.