Joseph Yandall and Miss Solim Botsyo, both from the Volta Region on Saturday, emerged winners of the under-15 Southern Sector Inter-Regional Milo Marathon race in the boys and girls divisions.

Yandall clocked 46 minutes 27 seconds while Solim Botsyo was timed 49 minutes 40 seconds in the 15-kilometre race that attracted 1,000 pupils from the Eastern, Greater Accra, Central and Western regions.

They each received 400,000 cedis bursary, a carton of Milo, 122 exercise books, a certificate. By their victories, Yandall and Botsyo have qualified to participate in the Accra Milo Marathon under-15 division slated for September 21, this year.

Francis Ayetor also from the Volta Region and Grace Dukoo from the Central Region were runner-ups in both divisions while the third positions went to Stephen Nartey of Eastern Region and Comfort Gbati from the Volta Region respectively.

The first runner-ups were each given 300,000 cedis bursary, 20 sachets of Milo, 10 exercise books and a certificate while those who came third took home 200,000 cedis books and a certificate.

Subsequently, the runners-up have also qualified to participate in the Accra event. Those who placed fourth to the 1,000th position were presented with Milo products, exercise books and certificates.

Master Frederick Gaitu, eight, of Kabore Primary and Miss Elizabeth Kumah, nine, of Jasikamn Roman Catholic Primary schools also received a quantity of Nestle products for being the youngest participants in the marathon race.

Mr Patrick Ofosu, Product Manager of Milo, Nestle Ghana Limited, sponsors of the race said the Ho Marathon cost 150 million.

He said Nestle Ghana Limited with the collaboration of the Ghana Education Service have being in sports development and promotion for the past 17 years and expressed the hoped that this will grow towards unearthing talents among school children.

He said the under -15 was the core target of Milo since they constituted the largest consumers of their product hence the need to build and restore lost energy particularly among growing children.

Mr Kwesi Hobenu, National Vice-Chairman of school and colleges sports federation said in pursuance of "catch them young" policy of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, reliable partnership with Nestle was a way forward.

He noted that the establishment of physical education and sporting events are concomitant machinery in the development and promotion of a healthy child and hoped that Nestle assistance would be sustained.

Mr Hobenu who is also the Kadjebi District Director of Education called for the reactivation and organisation of P.E lessons in all schools including disabled persons. Earlier, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, fired the gun for the race to start.