The National Sports Authority says it is expecting about 192 athletes to participate in the 2020 edition of the National Cross Country.

Ajumako, a town in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency in the Central Region won the bid to host the competition which is slated for Saturday, August 22, 2020.

After a 10-year break, the competition resumed last year under the auspices of the NSA and Ministry of Youth and Sports and this year’s edition has been billed to be an improvement on the 2019 race which was held in Mpohor, Western Region.

At a press conference to outline arrangements for the competition, the Acting head of the Authority’s technical committee Abedu Wilson said 3 school and eight hotels have been booked to house the athletes and officials.

“This year we are expecting 192 athletes. Last year, we had 120 athletes so there’s an increase of 72 athletes because of the new regions. Last year, one school accommodated the athletes, this year three schools. We are going to have eight hotels to accommodate about 100 officials”.

“Cross country basically is for competitions outside the cities. It’s a countryside event and it has been an opportunity and our athletes in particular to also have a short memory at wherever they go”, he said.

“Cross country basically is for competitions outside the cities. It’s a countryside event and it has been an opportunity and our athletes in particular to also have a short memory at wherever they go”, he said.

The Director-General of the NSA, Professor Peter Twumasi assured that the 2020 edition will create more excitements and opportunities for upcoming athletes.

He said the addition of athletes from the six newly-created regions will enhance the competition and the buzz around it.

“This year’s will be different and interesting. What I know and what I have observed is that this year’s cross country is going to be different. Because the last time, we had ten regions but this year, we will have sixteen regions, thanks to the president. So it is going to be very competitive because each of the sixteen regions is going to bring athletes for the men and women division.

It’s a 10kilometre race for both men and women and participants will be given certificates with plans far advanced to get prizes for the winners.