By Simon Asare
Accra, May 31, GNA – Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation, has congratulated Ghanaian sprinter Abdul-Rasheed Saminu for breaking the national 100m record.
Saminu achieved a new national record of 9.86 seconds in the men’s 100m sprint at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Friday, May 30, 2025.
He breaks Benjamin Azamati’s record of 9.90 seconds, set in 2022, and qualifies for the upcoming World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.
In a statement, the Sports and Recreation Minister hailed the 27-year-old sprinter for flying the Ghanaian flag high, saying his recent achievement reminded the world of Ghana’s athletic potential.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Saminu for this historic sprint into global stardom with a blistering time of 9.86 to become the world’s fastest man in 2025.
“He has not only shattered his personal and national records but also lifted the flag of Ghana very high on the international stage,” the statement said.
The Minister added that Saminu’s achievement was an affirmation of Ghana’s athletic potential and the fruit of vision, discipline and commitment.
“It also reinforces the government’s ongoing efforts under President John Dramani Mahama to invest in young talent, grassroots development and international competitiveness.
“We believe in our young athletes and their power to tell the Ghana story to the world,” the statement said.
Saminu, who is a student at the University of South Florida, represented Ghana at the Paris Olympics, where he progressed to the semi-finals in the men’s 100m race.
GNA
Edited Kenneth Odeng Adade