Kumasi, April 13, GNA - The Ghana Police Service (GPS) clinched a total of eight gold, five silver and one bronze medals in the Women's division to place first in this year's National Athletics Championship held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi at the weekend. The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) who placed second had four gold medals whilst Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) placed third with three gold medals. They were all presented with certificates and souvenirs, as well as cash prizes.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) won one gold, one silver and four bronze medals to place fourth, with the Central Region claiming three silver and one bronze medals to place fifth. The two-day event was held under the auspices of the National Sports Council (NSC) in collaboration with the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) and was designed to select a contingent to represent the nation at the this year's Africa Athletics Championships to be held in Ethiopia.

In the Men's division, the GAF placed first when they claimed five gold, four silver and four bronze medals with CEPS placing second with four gold and two silver medals.

Police Service won four gold, one silver and two bronze medals to place third with the Ghana University Students Association (GUSA) grabbing two gold and four silver medals to place fourth whilst GIS placed fifth with one gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

The participants received cash, trophies, certificates and souvenirs as their prizes which were donated by the organizers. Seventeen teams participated in the event which included javelin, shot put, high and long jump, triple jump, discus, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters race, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relay events.

Mr Sandy Osei-Agyemang, Chairman of GAA in his closing remarks appealed to stakeholders to collaborate with the Association to develop athletics in the country to an appreciable standard. He called on the athletes who will be selected to represent the nation at the African championship to train hard to enable them rake in the needed medals and honour for the nation. Mr Osei-Agyemang commended the participating teams and their trainers for the outstanding performance and hard work at the championship.