I met Gebreselasie as he paid a working visit to Graphic Communications Group

Acclaimed long distance runner, Haile Gebrselasie, has paid a working visit to the head office of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra. This was a memorable day for me, meeting a great global hero who is the epitome of humility and has concern for his people. Great guy, it was great meeting you today.

The Olympic gold medalist is in Ghana to participate in the Millennium Marathon which would take place on Saturday September 4, 2015 in Accra. The GCGL is one of the stakeholders sponsoring the event.

Commenting on recent developments with regards to alleged doping practices in athletics, Gebrselasie said doping, apart from damaging the reputation of the sports, reduces the confidence people have in clean athletes and goes a long way in “discouraging the next generation of sportsmen and women from participating in it”.

He therefore called on all stakeholders in the sport to ensure that it was reduced to the barest minimum to protect the sanctity of athletics.

Millennium marathon

This is the first time Ghana is hosting such an international marathon. The event seeks to promote tourism, trade and health and is expected to attract over 15,000 runners both locally and internationally.

The 21 kilometres marathon would start from the Independence Square through the principal streets of Accra and finally end at the Independence Square.

The Managing Director of GCGL, Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, said the sponsorship was part of the company’s effort to contribute its quota to sports development in the country.

According to him, the marathon would put Ghana on the map of the athletic world.

He described Gebrselasie as a hardworking and humble sports personality whose exploits continues to inspire and encourage people from all walks of life.

Sports to promote good health

The five time world champion and world record holder called on African countries to provide an enabling environment for children to effectively participate in sporting activities.

He stated that people can reap enormous health benefits by actively engaging in sports.

“Kids must be allowed to do sports. Every school should therefore have a bigger space for sports so that during physical education period children can actively engage in sporting activities. A school which does not comply with this must not be allowed to operate” he said.

He has inspired me to run and win the 5K marathon on the 5th of September, watch out for me

– See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/48937-gebreselasie-pays-working-visit-to-graphic-communications-group.html#sthash.BhSaZfnr.dpuf

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