Hohoe, Feb. 23, GNA - Thirteen new records were set in the just ended Volta Regional Teacher Training Colleges fifth annual inter-colleges sports festival at Hohoe.

Eight records were set in the men's division while the women's division set five records.

Jerry Tsey of Jasikan Training College (JASICO) set a new record in the high jump with a leap of 1.72 metres beating the old record set by Alex Agbemadu of Peki Training College (GOVCO) last year at Dambai.

Akatsi Training College (AKATSICO) set the new record in the four (4) x 100 metres relay in a time of 46.63 seconds to beat the old record of 46.93 seconds set by St. Francis Training College (FRANCO).

In the long jump event, Eric Lumor of FRANCO set a new record of 6.21 metres to beat the old record of 5.95 metres set by Agbenuza Agbesi of Dambai Training College (DATCO).

Other records set in the men's division include the total dominance of the long distance races when Prosper Gbeti of GOVCO won the 5000, 1500 and 800 metres races with Alfred Ashiabi of JASICO winning the triple jump event.

In the women's division, Miss Bridgette Quarshie of St. Theresa Training College (THERESCO) set a new record in the long jump with a leap of 5.11 metres to beat her old record of 4.72 metres set last year while Annete Aboagye of GOVCO set a new record of 26.66 metres in the javelin throw to improve on the 23.82 metres record set by Agnes Avuwoada of the same school last year.

Other records set in the women's division were in shot putt achieved by Adenyo Akofa of JASICO, Elizabeth Afu of FRANCO also set new records in the 100 metres and 400 metres in 65.16 seconds while THERESCO won the 4 x 100 metres in a time of 55.78 seconds.

FRANCO placed first when they won four gold medals and the championship trophy with GOVCO coming second with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals while Amedzofe Training College (AMECO) came third with one gold and two silver medals.

Akatsi Training College (AKATSICO) placed fourth with one gold, one bronze medal, JASICO fifth with two bronze medals with Dambai Training College (DATCO) coming last when they failed to win any medal. FRANCO came first in the soccer competition, table tennis (men and women) and women's volleyball, AKATSICO also came first in the men's volleyball and cross country while THERESCO took the first position in netball.

GOVCO also came first in both men and women's athletics with AMECO taking the first position in the women's cross country race. Eighty competitors have been selected to represent the region in the inter - regional competition which is scheduled to be staged at Hohoe in April, this year.

In his closing address, the Regional Director of Education, Mr Samuel Gyan commended the organisers of the festival for the good work done. He advised the selected participants to train hard to enable them come first in the inter-regional festival.

Rev. Ernest Gaewu, Chairman of the Volta Regional Training Colleges Sports Association commended Mr Emmanuel Galley, Physical Education master of FRANCO and his colleagues for the good work done and hoped they would train the selected participants to enable them uplift the image of the region during the impending inter regional sports festival.