The climax of the University of Ghana Inter-Hall Athletic Games on Friday, June 23, 2024, saw 10 existing records bettered, as athletes put up stupendous displays across various track and field events.
Athletes who set new records were handed a GHS 5,000 cash prize, with relay teams earning the same amount despite the excessive number of participants involved.
However, the significant increase in cash prize was unknown to all participating athletes prior to the commencement of the meet on Wednesday – and was revealed before the final awards ceremony.
Mensah Sarbah hall’s athletes were the beneficiaries of the newly introduced mega cash prize motivation system, with the hall’s ladies receiving a chunk of the amount.
Naomi Addo led the Sarbah financial charge, with the 5,000m runner obliterating the previous record of 18m 14.38s to set a new record of 17m 20.77s, taking Misio Yayra’s Manah’s decade record down.
The long distance runner also showcased unreal resilience over the 1500m women event, setting a new meet and school record of 4m 53.11s, which also brought an end to Misio Yayra’s Manah’s 10-year record over the distance.
Agnes Adjei of Akuafo hall followed suit, shattering two records and earning herself the ‘ leap queen’ accolade by spectators. The first year student annexed gold in the women’s long jump event in a record-breaking 5.85m leap, surpassing Sandra Konadu’s 5.36 leap from 2016.
Adjei’s class was also shown in the triple jump when she broke Sarah Adjei’s 9.93m record from 2007, raising the bar in the event to an all-time high with 12.49m.
JISH’s Maxwell Petterson Wordui reigned superior in the men’s compartment of the long jump, setting a 7.32m record for his best attempts, doing away with Quaico’s previous record from 2009.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 400m hurdle, Emmanuel Turkson of Commonwealth dazzled with a 54.91s finish, putting day light between himself and Ato Austin’s 1972 record of 56.25s.
Commonwealth’s precious first year jewel, David Nakousi, earned the rostrum after a sizzling 14m 42.27s, pulling clear of Bassit Afful’s 15min 00.03sec record in 2023.
Daniel Otibu from Akuafo hall rewrote history as he broke a 60-year record in the 400m record, finishing in 47.69s, taking down E.C.O Addy’s 48.00s from 1964.
Sarbah’s female quartet of Gloria Yartey, Stella Agbokpa, Priscilla Anaglo and Mawusi stopped the clock at 4m 03. 75s to post a new record, beating Akuafo’s 2019 record of 4m 10.03s.
After bursting onto the tertiary stage in the best possible way, first year students Agnes Adjei and David Nakousi were adjudged as the best female and male performing athletes, respectively.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo| univers. ug.edu.gh
