Nestlé Milo Helps The Next Generation Of Champions Take Their First Step

Twenty-five years old Malik Yakubu, from the Ashanti Region, was yesterday crowned winner of the 29th edition of the Accra Milo Marathon.

Thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of life took part in the 29 th edition of the Accra Milo Marathon which was held on the 21 st September 2016. The iconic race which is held every year on Founders Day saw Malik Yakubu emerge as the male winner and Elizabeth Azuure as the female winner in the 42.2Km race.

The marathon which was themed “Every Champion Starts by Taking a Giant Step” was run in two legs. The Mass sports, which covered a distance of 42. 2km was run by 7,000 athletes contesting the 15,000GHS cash and product prize.

While the 5km non- competitive Fun race, a Nestlé initiative pledged to donate 4,000 pairs of shoes to underprivileged children in rural communities to promote sports for every runner who crossed the finish line. The shoes will be distributed in collaboration with Ghana Education Services in selected districts across all ten regions of Ghana in October 2016.

As the world’s leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, Nestlé is committed to promoting healthy diet and lifestyle, including physical activity. Having become a permanent event on the sporting calendar in Ghana for nearly three decades, the Accra Milo marathon is a clear demonstration of this commitment.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the marathon, the Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, Mrs Freda Duplan said “Nestlé Milo, The Energy Food Drink of Future Champions continues to inspire the youth of Ghana to get into sports as we believe that sports has a unique ability to help instil life values such as hard work, responsibility, fair play, discipline, perseverance and team spirit.

These values are found on the field of play and in sporting activities like the Accra Milo Marathon which we are proud to be associated with for the past twenty-nine years”. “As a brand, Milo was also recently awarded for quality and safety as a proudly made-in-Ghana product” she added.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Deputy Minister of Tourism Hon. Dzifa Gomashie, the co-founder of the Dansoman Keep fit Club. Co – sponsors of the event, Voltic Water Mineral Water and Hollard Assurance Company Ltd., were also present.

Malik Yakubu defied all odds and stiff challenge from previous winners to grab the first spot of the 29 th Accra Milo Marathon over a distance of 42.2kilometers in 2 hours 22 minutes and 46 seconds.

The second position went to Kassim Mohammed in a time of 2h:22m:59s and Joseph Yandal taking the third place in 2h:23m:14s.

In the Female Category, Elizabeth Azuri was first, as Lriba Sakkat took the second position and the third prize going to Elizabeth Borstor. The took home cash prize of 15,000ghc for winners, 5,000ghc for first runner ups and 3,000ghc for second runner ups.

It was a successful race with no accident and the children had more fun with comedian Funny Face and others.

As usual, the Dansoman Keep Fit Center also known as Liberty Park or Carl Reindoff Park was filled to capacity with people from all walks of life who took part in the main race, fun race and children’s race.

Everyone who participated and completed the races had prizes from Nestle Ghana Ltd the main sponsor of the popular event which is in its 29 th season.

Youth & Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuije who graced the race said he was impressed with the turnout of many school kids and promised to press on the Ghana Education Service and Ministry of Education to adjust the academic calendar to allow more time for students to do sports at school.

He announced that the Winneba Sports College would be revamped so that athletes could be camped there, groomed and given the chance to participate in several races so as to make them good competitors at the global level in the near future.

The Minister congratulated the winners and all who took part and promised to raise the level of athletics in the country so that there are good runners who can win international medals for Ghana.

Managing Director of Nestle Ghana, Mrs. Freda Y. Duplan said this year’s marathon saw about 9,000 runners competing in two races 42.2km and 5km for fun for families and friends which Nestle Milo introduced as a noncompetitive race to encourage people to work out physically.

She announced that this year milo has pledge to donate 4,000 shoes to be distributed to school children in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service.

Danny Welbeck, Chairman of the Dansoman Keep Fit Club, organisers of the event commended all who supported to make the race successful. Stressing on this year’s theme of “Every Champion starts by taking the First Step”, he was impressed with the participation and discipline of all runners.

He said they have embarked on new projects like the annual Mini Olympics in Greater Accra and corporate games for businesses in Dansoman to encourage them live healthy lifestyles.

A total of 9,000 athletes competed the race for adults and the five- kilometre fun race for children.