Prof Eric Kwame Adae Calls for Unity in Ghana Athletics
Prof. Eric Kwame Adae, the president of the Black Star Marathon, has called for greater unity, collaboration, and support within Ghana’s athletics fraternity, emphasizing that collective efforts are essential to developing road running and positioning Ghana as a leading destination for world-class road races in Africa.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Athletics Notch TV, the founder reflected on his personal journey into athletics. He revealed that he discovered his potential as a distance runner while in secondary school. That early experience eventually developed into a lasting passion for athletics and road running.
According to him, the Black Star Marathon was established with a broader vision: to demonstrate the level of excellence that Ghanaians and Africans can achieve when resources, expertise and commitment are properly mobilized.
He stressed that building a successful marathon requires more than the efforts of one individual or organization. It requires cooperation among athletes, organizers, athletics administrators, government institutions, sponsors, media organizations and other stakeholders.
The founder also expressed concern about the lack of unity within parts of Ghana’s athletics fraternity, describing the situation as a major challenge to the growth of the sport. He appealed to stakeholders to move away from attitudes that discourage or undermine others and instead create an environment where everyone can contribute to the development of athletics.
Safety and World Athletics Standards
A major focus of the discussion was the safety of participants and the need to raise the standard of road-running events in Ghana.
The founder explained that securing appropriate road closures is essential to protecting athletes and other road users. He noted that the team is working to ensure that the Black Star Marathon meets the requirements necessary to pursue World Athletics certification, including appropriate management and closure of the race route.
He emphasized that the safety of participants must remain paramount, adding that organizers do not want athletes to be exposed to unnecessary risks from vehicular traffic during the race.
High Cost of Organizing Events
The founder also highlighted the financial challenges associated with organizing major sporting events in Ghana.
He pointed to the high cost of doing business, including the expense of media advertising and promoting an event at the frequency required to generate public awareness. He acknowledged that some media organizations have been willing to support the event through partnerships, but stressed that more collaboration is needed.
Despite these challenges, he remains confident that the Black Star Marathon can become a major sporting asset for Ghana if stakeholders work together.
He described the event as bigger than an individual or organization, stressing that its success would contribute to the broader development of Ghanaian athletics and support institutions such as the Ghana Olympic Committee, the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
Call to Athletes, Sponsors and Partners
The founder encouraged athletes preparing for the marathon to remain committed to their training while the organizers finalize preparations.
He also issued a strong invitation to corporate Ghana, sponsors, media organizations and development partners to support the event, describing the Black Star Marathon as an opportunity to promote Ghanaian athletics and showcase the country’s capacity to organize high-quality international road races.
The next edition of the Black Star Marathon is expected to take place in November or December 2026, with the official date to be announced.
The founder concluded by urging all stakeholders to see the marathon as a collective national project, emphasizing that when the Black Star Marathon and other Ghanaian sporting events succeed, the benefits extend to the entire athletics community and Ghana as a whole.
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