INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

• THE REPUBLIC DAY WALK
• WORLD RACE WALKING CUP IN TORINO
• VOLTIC DONATES IN AID OF REPUBLIC DAY WALK

THE REPUBLIC DAY WALK

All is set for the third annual Republic Walk scheduled to take place in Accra, which has the propensity to encompass some 3,000 walkers from all walks of life, spread around the various part of the country. According to the organizers El-Wak Keep Fit Club, the Walk will span some three hours and will route through some pronounced streets of the Accra metropolis, and will be graced by about 30 Keep Fit clubs spread across the metropolis. As a side attraction, the organizers have invited the national ace walker Fire Service?s Vincent Asumang who will himself take part in the walk, after giving a talk on the rules and regulations and equipment needed for the WALK, as a sport and fitness. Asumang is also expected to talk extensively about techniques of the sport which is largely a usual problem area for the Ghanaian walker. The route area of the walk begins at the El-wak Sports Stadium at 6 O?clock through the 37 Military Hospital, Gold A House, Kanda Highway, Ridge Hospital! , Accra Stadium, Osu Presby, Oxford Street, Danquah Circle, Togo Embassy, Cantonment Post Office, and finally end at the El-wak Stadium. The walk is going to be held under different categories to enable the various age groups and participants to perform very well on an even field. Sponsors for the walk are Pepsi Cola, Western Union Money Transfer, and Voltic Mineral Water. According to Mr. Albert Helegbe the chairman of the El-wak Keep Fit Club, everything is in place for the start and successful completion of the walk, which promises to be the best of the walks organized in the history of the Keep Fit Club. Meanwhile, the organizers have invited a couple of walkers to show up to make the occasion grand.

WORLD RACE WALKING CUP IN TORINO

Ghana has been invited to the up-coming 20th world race walking cup in Torino, Italy on 12 and 13 October 2002 which will be race walking competition at the very highest order. As stipulated by the organizers, qualifying time for Men in the 20 km category is 1:35:00, while Women?s is 2:00:00. In the 50 km category which is essentially for Men, the qualifying time is 4:50:00. Technically, and according to regulations set by the IAAF three Ghanaian walkers need to complete before Ghana can be ranked in the world.

It will be recalled that the national ace walker Vincent Asumang and Alex Yaw Agyarkwa, then coached by Mr. Albert Nukpezah represented Ghana in the 20 km walk in the last world walking cup held in Deauville Mezidon, in France in 1999. Among the sponsors then were Energizer, Air Afrique, Mobitel, Fidelity, His Excellency Mr. Sam Vallis Akyianu the then Ambassador to Czech Republic and Mr. Harry Blavo the former Ambassador to France. It is hoped that this time around Ghana will qualify to be ranked because of an emerging galaxy of stars namely Ahmed Tijani of the Ghana Armed Forces, Stanley Briamah, Kofi Ali, Yaw Fordjour, Anthony Adjei, Vincent Asumang, all of who are in the coaching stable of the world renowned racewalking coach, the American Dave McGovern and Mr. Nukpezah.

It is unfortunate that several attempts to get these walkers to compete at the highest level have proved futile due to circumstances beyond their control. Meanwhile, ALITALIA GSA has lined up a special package from now to the competition. As a prelude to the competition, the walkers are preparing feverishly for the up-coming competition.

VOLTIC DONATES IN AID OF REPUBLIC DAY WALK

The management of Voltic Mineral Water has donated 100 boxes of the product at a short ceremony in Accra just in time to grace the up-coming Republic Day walk scheduled to embrace 30 different sister Keep Fit Clubs spread around Accra.

According to Mrs. Natalia Anang the marketing manager of the company, the presentation is obviously Voltic?s humble contribution to the growth and promotion of the sport in Ghana. She noted that her outfit has been associated with the baby sport still in its infant stage, for quite a long time now and promised on behalf of Voltic that the company will continue to associate identify with the sport till it comes of age.

Replying to the wonderful toast and act of kindness, Mr. Anthony Klutse Dorgbefu and Mr Patrick Senaya members of the Planning Committee thanked the donors and praised them for benevolence at a time economic life is extremely difficult.

Present at the ceremony was the ace walker Vincent Asumang who took the opportunity to advise the general public on the need to take walking as a serious sport,and also on the need to take in a lot of water since the body contains 70 per cent of liquids, which makes dehydration a most dangerous thing for the body. He informed that even at international competitions, after every kilometer a refreshment and sponging station are provided to avoid dehydration and to save participants from fainting. Asumang therefore thanked Voltic for endeavoring to be part of the walk.