Accra, April 12, GNA - Officer Cadet Mahamady Belem of Abyssinia Platoon of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) emerged winner of this year's annual Inter Platoon Junior Cadet Steeplechase competition held at the Ghana Military Academy, Teshie, Accra.

Cadet Officer Belem won the 12-kilometre competition by clocking a time of 43 minutes, 28 seconds. Sixty-nine officers including two females participated in the competition.

The participants were drawn from the Standard Military Course (SMC) 46 and Short Service Commission and Special Duties Course (SSC/SD) 44. The event was aimed at inculcating into the cadets espirt-de-corps as well build their physical fitness and stamina as well as their mental resilience in order for them to endure trying conditions. Describing the steeplechase competition, Captain E. Assan on behalf of the Director of Public Affairs said in a Press release copied to the of obstacles comprising two feet and four feet bars, ascending and descending ramps, vertical and horizontal rope climbing, tunnel crossing and ended with heave ups.

Captain Assan said the impressive performance displayed by the cadets mirrored the hard work, dedication to duty and sacrifices that saw them surmounting the difficult moments.

Senior Cadets of Regular Career Course 45 put up a demonstration of air assault on a supposedly enemy outpost by rappelling from a helicopter into the enemy territory to mark the steeplechase activities.

Air Commodore J. Okyere Boateng, the Chief Staff Officer of the Air Force Headquarters who was the Guest of Honour commended the cadets for their impressive performance and encouraged them to strive hard at building and maintaining the stamina they had worked hard to attain.