Nine promising Ghanaian athletes left for the United States of America on Sunday on a Ghana Athletics Association-conceived educational fund for further studies.

Dubbed the GAA Education Trust Fund, the scheme was set up in 2013 to help talented and under-privileged athletes achieve both academic and sporting excellence.

Among the athletes that left Accra is sprinter Janet Amponsah, who was Ghana’s sole participant at the 2013 World Athletics Championship held in Moscow. She will enroll at Western Texas College.

Other athletes who were on board the US-bound flight were triple jump sensation Elizabeth Dadzie and 400m specialist Adelaide Nkrumah, who will enroll at Iowa Central College.

400m runner Daniel Gyasi and sprinter Mary Quayson will join Janet Amponsah at Western Texas College.

Long-cum-middle distance runners Shadrack Adu-Gyamfi, Sampson Azumah, Lydia Atta Afia Mato and Agnes Abu are set to pick up academic and athletics training at Barton County College.

Two more athletes are expected to travel to the US on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 on the Fund, www.tv3network.com gathers.

About six more athletes are scheduled to depart for the US in August this year. The programme is aimed at getting more representatives for Ghana in upcoming international competitions, especially the 2016 Rio Games.