Tamale, Oct 25, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister on Wednesday lit the first ever Milo Marathon Run flame in Tamale towards ushering in of the Accra Milo Marathon on the 28 October this year.

Nestle Ghana Limited, KLM and the State Insurance Corporation (SIC) are sponsors of this year's Milo Marathon Torch Run in the country with an estimated amount of over 1.5 billion cedis. The torch, which started with a float through some principal streets of the Tamale Metropolis, would continue with another float in the principal streets of Accra on Saturday to end at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club.

Mr. Louis Atatuba, Sales Representative of Nestle Ghana Ltd. said the company was committed to the promotion and development of sports in the country and expressed the hope that the event will sensitise more people to patronise the company's goods.

He said the winner of the Accra Marathon would get a free ticket to participate in the Amsterdam Marathon in addition to one million cedis cash as pocket money while the second runner up would also get a free ticket to participate in the Nairobi Marathon in Kenya.

Mr Atatuba said over 4000 people are expected to participate in the Run.

Alhaji Idris commended Nestle Ghana for deciding to start the Marathon from the Northern Region, which he said was an indication that the brand, Milo had not skewed all its brand activations to the South alone.

He said the hosting of the event in Tamale was also a sign of recognition of the contributions of the three Northern Regions to the success of Milo and the development of sports in Ghana. The Regional Minister said, "It is common knowledge that Milo colts offered some of our Ghanaian young footballers with the necessary exposure to be more confident to develop their football career efficiently".

Alhaji Idris mentioned one of the beneficiaries of the sports sponsorship by Milo at the school level as the soccer maestro, Abedi Pele.

He said Fred Adongo also caused a lot of waves some years ago during the Accra Milo Marathon.