Road Baton Relay launched

The 2015 Road Baton Relay, a 30-kilometre relay marathon reserved for students of first and second cycle institutions, was launched last Friday in Accra with a call on Ghanaians to participate in mass sports in order to prevent lifestyle diseases.

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, made the call when he performed the ceremonial launch of the event slated for July 1.

He advised Ghanaians to get more involved in mass sports events such as marathons in order to prevent many lifestyle diseases which, he said, were a drain on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

"I promise to ensure that the organisers, DreamLand Sports Plus receive any tax rebates due them because such mass sports events could prevent lifestyle diseases and reduce the burden on the NHIS," he added.

The spokesperson of DreamLand Sports Plus, William Ocansey disclosed that the gruelling route of the race starts at Coca-Cola on the Spintex Road through the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange then through Osu to the Accra Sports Stadium; which is the start point of the girls' 18km race, through the High Street to Korle Bu through Chorkor, Dansoman Exhibition Roundabout, Dansoman Highway, Sakaman Junction and ends at the Kaneshie Sports Complex."

The CEO of DreamLand Sports Plus, Emmanuel Ola William, announced that registration for the event was free, adding that each school was restricted to one relay team each.

The event is sponsored by Peak Milk, Blue Crest College, Digestive Biscuits and supported by the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Police Service.