Willie Williams Athletics Championship: A Legacy of Excellence in Ghanaian Athletics
Willie Williams Athletics Championship: A legacy of excellence in Ghanaian athletics. The Willie Williams Athletics Championship stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious track and field competitions in Ghana. Founded to honour the late Willie Williams, the event has played a pivotal role in nurturing and developing young Ghanaian athletic talents.
James Thompson, a former athlete and the visionary behind this initiative, emphasised the significant impact of the competition on the careers of some of Ghana’s finest sprinters. He highlighted how the event has served as a platform for rising stars, including Olympian Benjamin Azamati, Ghana’s current national record holder in the 100m sprint. Azamati clinched victory in the inaugural edition of the championship in 2018, setting the stage for what has now become an impressive professional career.
In subsequent editions, the competition has continued to produce top-tier talents, with athletes such as:
- Solomon Hammond – Winner of the 100m event in the second edition.
- Rasheed Saminu & James Dadzie – Dominated the third edition, securing first and second positions, respectively.
Saminu and Dadzie are now based in the United States and have gone on to represent Ghana in international competitions, including as key members of the country’s 4x100m relay team.
Strong Participation in the 2025 Edition
The 2025 edition of the Willie Williams Athletics Championship, scheduled for Saturday, 8th February, has attracted a highly competitive lineup of teams and individual athletes. James Thompson, who is also the organizer of the Tizza Football Gala and the upcoming Tizza Marathon, confirmed that several elite sprinters have registered for the competition.
Among the notable participants are:
- Edwin Gadayi – Current Male Athlete of the Year
- Sarfo Ansah – 2020 Olympian
- Ghana Armed Forces Athletics Team
- A team from the Ashanti Region
- The University of Ghana Athletics Team
- One Mission Athletics
- Several other top clubs and individual athletes
This year’s championship is particularly significant as it serves as the opening event of the 2025 Ghana Athletics Calendar, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
State-of-the-Art Electronic Timing System
To ensure accuracy and fairness, organisers have confirmed the availability of an electronic timing system, which will provide precise time recordings for the athletes. This cutting-edge technology will enable competitors to record their best times of the season, giving them a chance to meet qualification standards for future national and international events.
The Willie Williams Athletics Championship continues to be a beacon of excellence in Ghanaian athletics, offering a stage for both emerging and established athletes to showcase their talents. As the competition day draws near, all eyes will be on the University of Ghana Stadium, where history will once again be made.