Sesi crowned Osu Duku Festival Cycling champion
The 2024 SWAG Cyclist of the Year, Emmanuel Sesi of the Royal Stars Cycling Club, proved his mettle once again when he emerged champion of the 2nd edition of the Osu Duku Festival Cycling Championship, held on Sunday in Osu.
The 100 kilometres (30 laps) championship, put together by Mr Thomas Amoako Boafo, a visual artist, youth activist, and philanthropist from Osu, drew the participation of over 80 cyclists from Ghana, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.
Sesi relied on a marginal photo finish to beat home favourite and The Boss Tribe Cycling Club, star Frank David Akuffo Awuku, to second place, and Solomon Tagoe to third.
For their reward, Sesi took home GH¢10,000.00, with Awuku and Tagoe parting with GH¢5,000.00 and GH¢3,000.00 respectively, while the 4th to 6th placed cyclists received GH¢500.00 each, and the 7th to 10th receiving GH¢300.00 each.
In the female category, Nigerian sensation Patience Effiong Otuodung took home the winner’s prize of GH¢5,000.00. Second-placed Hellen Anim went home with GH¢2,000.00, while Abigail Tetteh and Erica Sedzro received GH¢1,500 and GH¢1,000, respectively.
The chairman of the Osu Duku Festival Cycling race, Mr Justice Awuku, expressed delight at the massive turnout, noting that this year’s numbers were double from the first edition.
“Out of the total number, 23 cyclists finished the race, showcasing the competitiveness of this year’s event. We will look to increase the stakes come next year,” he stated.
The Secretary-General of the Ghana Cycling Federation, Mr Shaaban Mohammed, described the event as a huge success, commending the organisers for putting out a very coordinated and well-planned event.
“What happened here today is fantastic, the competitive nature of the race was super, great spectator turnout. Congratulations to the organisers for a great job done,” he added.
The Osu Duku Festival Cycling Championship forms part of the activities lined up to commemorate this year’s Homowo celebration in Osu.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
