Adukpo presenting his certificate to Marambii
Ace Marathoner Godwin Adukpo and Mohammed Kassim left good footprints in this year’s Bank of Africa Bamako Marathon in Mali on February 19.
The duo, Adukpo from the Customs and Exercise Preventive Service (CEPS) and Kassim, Ghana Army, finished third and fifth in 2.27 and 2.45.55 respectively. They were sponsored by Bank of Africa Ghana.
And for their excellence in the 42, 195km race, they received certificates, 500,000 CFA and 150,000 CFA respectively.
Recounting what accounted for their successes despite the weather challenges at the Bank’s offices at Asylum Down in Accra yesterday, the two in separate words noted that they could have done better but for the biting weather.
“I coughed blood on the day of the marathon due to the weather, but I was determined to make Ghana proud,” Adukpo said.
“We could have done better if we had raced in the morning, but we only realized that the race was in the afternoon on the ‘D’ day.
“The challenges notwithstanding, it has served as an eye opener, and we thank the Bank of Africa for the exposure,” he added.
The Deputy Managing Director of Bank of Africa Ghana Ronald Marambii stated: “It is a proud moment for us because of the impressive times they recorded taking into account the unfriendly weather and their ill preparation for the race.
“We have realized that talents abound in Africa but they lack exposure, and so our subsidiary banks from 10 countries sponsored two athletes each. We have been doing this since the competition’s inception three years ago.
“We will get in touch with the Sports Council and see in which other disciplines we can partner in the future,” he added.
The athletes were accompanied by national marathon coach Bernard Aniah.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum