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Nestle Ghana Limited, the multinational food giant, has withdrawn its sponsorship from the nationally acclaimed Accra Marathon associated with Milo, one of its star brands. “The decision to withdraw our sponsorship was purely a business decision which has nothing to do with any person or organisation,” Mrs Ama Amoah, Head of Corporate Affairs, told the Ghana News Agency.
The Accra Milo Marathon is one of the most patronised sporting events in Ghana in which people from all the regions and abroad test their endurance over a lengthy and grueling distance for prize and applause.
The marathon, was introduced in Ghana by the Accra based Dansoman Keep Fit Club, led by the late Carl Reindorf (former deputy minister of Information in the 2nd Republican Government), the late Sam Nelson (then deputy minister of Youth & Sports under the PNDC government), Mr. N.A. Adjin-Tettey, (a retired administrator of the National Sports Council), together with 14 other members of the Club.
The first race, the Accra Marathon, sponsored by the State Insurance Company Limited, was run in 1986 with 107 athletes taking part. The Internal Revenue Service, then under the leadership of the late Professor John Evans Atta- Mills as Commissioner, provided transport for the athletes and organizers.
That race was won by Police Sergeant Amegashie who took home Ten Thousand Old Ghana Cedis equivalent of Ten New Ghana Cedis. Nestle had for over more than 25 years committed financial and logistical support to the race which had become synonymous with the food giant.
