Ghana Athletics has given its full endorsement to the Tampico Accra Inter City Marathon, with CEO Ahmed Baffoe saying road races have “come to stay” and the new event can earn a place on the World Athletics calendar.
Speaking at the grand launch of the marathon at Zimansky Hotel, Roman Ridge on Tuesday, Baffoe said the growing number of road races shows Ghanaians are embracing long-distance running beyond the track.
“I believe that road race or marathon has come to stay,” Baffoe said. “We have just witnessed one in Koforidua, and then there’s about the second one happening this year. We believe that Ghanaians are getting used to road race. We see club members, students, families alike, all of them participating in road running. What that means is that people have now come to accept marathon in Ghana.”
He added that road races enhance fitness, endurance, and community participation. “We from Ghana Athletics, we support anything that is athletics… We are fully supportive of this initiative.”
Technology Upgrade: Chip Timing For Accurate Results
A major highlight, Baffoe said, is the introduction of transponder chip timing for the Accra race.
“It’s not a new one. We have our usual timing system, that is the photo finish that we use for track and field,” he explained. “But the introduction of the transponder, the embedded chip under the bib, is going to make sure that athletes cover the correct distances, so they will get a right measurement and also get effective timing as well.”
With accurate measurement and timing in place, Baffoe said the race can be registered on the World Athletics calendar and qualify for a label.
“When we have all these things in place, it means that the race can be registered under the World Athletics calendar, and which does mean that it can qualify for a label… It can start from the Bronze level and move up all the way to Platinum.”
Call For More Championships To Develop Athletes
On athlete development, Baffoe said Ghana needs more consistent competitions beyond what the federation organizes.
“It is important that we make sure that there is constant championship or competition for our athletes,” he stated. “Almost all of our athletes are in clubs, and so they train consistently, particularly towards championships.”
He cited recent junior events, including a 5-nation competition in Burkina Faso for U18 athletes and the U20 World Championships in Oregon featuring Ghana’s Kofi Apoku.
But Baffoe stressed the federation cannot do it alone.
“We don’t rely on only Ghana Athletics to organize championships. We can have individuals. We can have organizations also organizing championships so that we will support them as a federation. In the U.S. and other developed areas, it’s not actually the federation that is mandated to organize meets. It’s organized by individuals, it’s organized by companies, and then they get the support of the federation, and that is what we’re looking up to.”
Ghana Athletics currently runs three major national meets in Kumasi, Cape Coast, and Accra. “If we can have more of this championship, it’s going to help develop and then improve athlete performance,” he said.
Full Support For Organizers
Baffoe praised the marathon organizers and pledged technical and logistical support.
“Must say that they’ve done tremendously well. We doff our hat. We will support them. Like I said, our presence here is an indication that we have given our full endorsement.”
He concluded: “When we have more of these marathons or road races, it shows that Ghana is not actually resting on its fitness and endurance. What it does mean for us as a nation is that we need more people to support the organizers, so that they can organize this in future. It can continue and become a perpetual race.”
The Tampico Accra Inter City Marathon is the latest road race to join Ghana’s growing running calendar, with corporate backing from Tampico, Capelli, Mist Water and others.
