Konongo (Ash), Aug. 14, GNA - The Ashanti regional annual inter-district basic school sports festival ended at Konongo on Friday with an advise to young athletes to desist from taking drugs to enhance their performances.

Mr George Frimpong, Asante-Akim North District Chief Executive who gave the advise, said the use of energy performance drugs has had adverse effects on the career of many.

More than 1,000 participants from 18 districts in the region participated in boys and girls' football and athletics. Mr Frimpong said sports are an effective avenue for the promotion of peace, development and friendship among communities. "It is therefore unfortunate that most often sporting activities end up in conflicts and violence", he said and called on parents and teachers to endeavour to give special attention and motivation to the young athletes with great potentials.

Mr Oppong Bediako-Poku, the Asante-Akim North District Director of Education, asked the participants to sustain the discipline and dedication that they exhibited at the festival to enable them achieve higher laurels.

He asked physical education and sports teachers to find more time to train and develop the skills and potentials of the young children to enable them compete favourably in their chosen fields. Mr Bediako-Poku on behalf of the regional basic sports association, expressed gratitude to the district assembly for donating six million cedis towards the festival.

Kumasi metropolis came first in both the boys and girls' athletics events while Adansi West and Amansie West placed second and third positions respectively.

Kumasi beat Adansi West 1-0 to emerge the regional football champions.