For sports in the country to thrive and record positive development and progress up to the international standard, Ghanaians must patronise Made-in- Ghana goods so as to keep the companies producing the goods in business.

This way the companies can support the development of sports. So says Mr. Andre Porchet, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Limited, manufacturers of Milo and other beverages.

Mr. Porchet said this at the end of the 14th Milo Marathon special at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club in Accra. He reiterated his company's determination to support sports in the country so that it can compete with the best in the world. He also commended the Police, the Ghana Education Service, the press and the athletes who helped to make the event a success. This year's event was a special one as it had categories for men, women, and under-15 boys and girls races. David Zigah a photographer powered home with a time of 2 hours 32 mins 5secs to win the men's event. For his reward he won a cash prize of one million five hundred thousand cedis, two cartons of Milo and a T-shirt. Second placed Clement Lamonie from Togo received one million two hundred thousand cedis, a carton of Milo and T-shirt whilst Timothy Mandela, who placed 3rd got eight hundred thousand cedis, one carton of Milo and a T-shirt. All athletes who placed 4th to 20th were also presented with various cash prizes and souvenirs of Milo.

Millicent Boadi placed first to win the women's event. She received one million five hundred thousand cedis, two cartons of Milo and a T-shirt. Gifty Koomson (Winneba) took home one million two hundred thousand cedis, a carton of Milo and a T-shirt.

In the under-15 event which started not far from the New Times Corporation traffic lights, Nelson Kwame (Kintampo) emerged the winner of the boys' event winning ?600,000 bursary, two cartons of Milo, 12 exercise books and computer for his school. Yaw Antepim who placed second took home a ?400,000 bursary, a carton of Milo, 10 exercise books and a computer for his school whilst third placed Maxwell Arko went home with ?200, 000 bursary, a carton of Milo and a computer for his school.

The under-15 girls event was won by Mary Mensah sporting No. 977 followed by Mary Eshun. Adjoa Wombedzi took the third position. They all received the same cash bursary, some Milo exercise books and T-shirts, as did the boys in the boys' event.

From the look of things the annual Milo Marathon has come to stay and the organisers, the Dansoman Keep Fit Club will have to plan well to meet the rising number of competitors. Congratulations, however, should go to the sponsors, Nestle Ghana Ltd. for sponsoring the event in the face of all odds