GAA Announces Athletes" Departure On Scholarship Programmes

The Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) has announced that three of its athletes have taken up college scholarships in the USA as of the first semester of the 2016/17 academic year.

The athletes, Martin Owusu-Antwi, Safia Bright and Agnes Abrokwah have already left Ghana for their new schools and will be seeking to further their education and career development, while also developing their athletic talent.

Martin Owusu-Antwi, who enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning gold in the men’s 200m final and 4x100m final at the 8th Africa Universities Games in Johannesburg, South Africa, has joined Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Owusu-Antwi will be hoping to improve on his personal best of 20.73(PB) which he achieved in the men’s 200m final at the Soga-Nana Memorial on 8th July, 2016 at his new base.

Likewise, Agnes Abrokwah, after recording the fastest time by a Ghana-based athlete in the women’s 400m in 2016 when she stopped the clock at 53.06s, joins South Plains College, a public institution located in Levelland, Texas.

Abrokwah, one of the standout performers in the just-ended season, made her international debut at the CAA Championships in Durban, South Africa in July.

The three athletes are the latest to join the long list of athletes who are in the USA on similar student-athlete scholarships.

Meanwhile, 800 meters Youth Olympic Gold medallist, Martha Bissah, has gained a personal full scholarship worth $32,000 to study at the Norfolk University in Virginia USA earlier this month.

GAA Announces Athletes" Departure On Scholarship Programmes

Audio : Former GAA Boss Slams Current Administration Over Bisa"s Suspension

Former chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) Dr George Luttlord has condemned the current administration of the GAA over their decision to suspend Martha Bissah,whom they claimed made false allegations against the Association.

 

The only Youth Olympic Gold Medalist Ghana has ever produced is alleged to have consistently accused the GAA in the media of the demanding GHC 7,000 from her to be offered the scholarship which she gained after winning the country’s first ever Olympic  Gold medal at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Below is an audio of what he said

 

Audio : Former GAA Boss Slams Current Administration Over Bisa"s Suspension

Negotiations Over Setting Up A National Anti - Doping Agency Resumes

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Youth ans Sports Hon.Nii Lante Vanderpuye over the establishment of a National Anti- Doping agency (NADO).

 

NADO’s are responsible for testing national athletes during off and on seasons, as well as athletes from other countries competing within that nation’s borders, in order to meet the international standards of competing in various sporting events.

 

GOC have had preliminary discussions with previous sports ministers over the establishment of a NADO but the frequent change of sports ministers has drag the process.

 

The President of the GOC, Professor Francis Dodoo is expected to lead a delegation to the sports minister over the establishment of a NADO.

 

In an interview with Empire Fm, The President of GOC said “Dr. Deborah Cubagee, who is the 1st vice president of the Ghana Olympic committee, has been leading the charge on starting what is called NADO. ”

“Again we have a new sports minister now so I think those conversations will hopefully advance. Over the last three or four years, she’s been ready.

“She has had a doping system in place and tested some of the athletes but when we do have a NADO situated [in Ghana], we will have better support “.

Negotiations Over Setting Up A National Anti - Doping Agency Resumes