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Gebrsellasie sandwiched by Dr Ahmed and HE Gifty Ababulgu at the VIP Louange of KIA.
Marathon ace Haile Gebrsellasie is in the country for the second edition of the Millennium Marathon after playing a key role in the maiden edition late last year.
He was met on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) by the outgoing Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mustapha Ahmed, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Ghana, HE Gifty Ababulgu and the event organizers, the Millennium Marathon Sports Company.
President John Mahama is expected to join the long distance legend, a host of dignitaries and the organizers to launch the half marathon (21km) at the Movenpick Hotel, Accra today.
A close source to the organizers indicates that at stake for the overall winner for this year’s edition is a mouthwatering $100,000.
“You represent athletics, your presence, no doubt will whip up a lot of enthusiasm into the youth, so they will be more patriotic and nationalistic, those who have the passion to run will pursue that dream and those who have you as their role models will rise to the top,” said Dr Ahmed.
He said on arrival that “ I am proud to come back; this year’s edition will be bigger than the maiden though I didn’t expect much crowd the last time, let’s work together and we will see good results.”
The maiden edition drew 15,000 runners-locally and internationally with Ethiopian duo of Delesa Terete Debela and Ayele Inem winning the male and female categories respectively.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum
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