Nutekpor Naval training command oeganises steeple chase compey.

The Director in-charge of Physical Training and Sports of the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. Richard Kofi Akotoh has disclosed that soldiers are now mandatorily required to pass their quarterly basic fitness tests. According to him, such a requirement must also be met before embarking on peace support operations. 

Col. Akotoh was speaking at the final Inter-Divisional Steeple Chase Competition for the BT83 Recruits of the Naval Training Command at Nutekpor in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

The Steeple Chase Competition is part of the training curricular of the Naval Recruit Training School. It enables the personnel to be physically fit and mentally alert in addition to promoting teamwork among the recruits. 

The exercise which lasted for about an hour is an essential part of the military training and profession.The twelve (12) kilometer route used for the competition began from the Command through Totsoanyi, Tolesem, Larve, Dalive, the Nutekpor Township and finally to the Naval Base where the recruits passed through some twelve (12) obstacles in order to end the competition.

The recruits who were grouped into their six Naval Divisions at the school namely Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Sebo with Green Colour, GNS Yogaga in Yellow, GNS Dzata with Blue as its colour, GNS Bonsu in Violet, GNS Achimota with Red as well as GNS Anzone with Brown as its colour.

The recruits went through obstacles such as crossing the horizontal rope, climbing a balancing and vertical wall, a horizontal ladder as well as jumping over some six and twelve feet hurdles amongst others.

Present at the colourful and impressive event included some officers from sister security services such as the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) as well as the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Addressing the recruits, the Director In-Charge of Physical Training and Sports of the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. Richard Kofi Akotoh announced some new basic fitness test requirement for soldiers. According to him, the quarterly fitness test requirements buttress the fact that physical fitness is an essential pre-requisite for the military profession because failure attracts sanctions that may affect the career progression of the men and women.

Col. Akotoh reminded the recruits that their training is designed to produce amongst others well-trained, highly motivated, physically and mentally robust sailors who are capable of meeting the demands of the military profession anytime and anywhere. According to him, it is for this reason that the recruit training has been designed to be challenging in every aspect so that only the highly motivated earns the privilege of passing out after twenty six (26) weeks of training to join the enviable Ghana Navy.

He called on the recruits to remain committed to their goals, adding that they should not be complacent in their quest to achieve greater heights in their training. 

In the view of Col. Akotoh, through genuine self-assessment, the recruits would now know whether they are on track or otherwise towards their ambition to become sailors. ‘Today’s event coupled with the series of tests you have done should be telling you your level of achievement as far as your training is concerned. If you are on track, I advise you not to be complacent. However, if you know you are performing below the expected standard, I advise you to redouble your efforts’, Col. Akotoh emphasized.

The Physical Training and Sports Director at the Ghana Armed Forces urged the competitors to continue their training so as to maintain their fitness level as recruits because apart from it being one of their valuable ideals of the profession, it also affords them good health and general well-being as individuals. 

More than 300 recruits took part in the exercise. Some of the competitors and individuals who excelled in the competition were honoured. Recruit Laryea from the GNS Bonsu Division came third with the second position going to Recruit Boateng of the GNS Achimota Division. The overall best male recruit award went to Recruit Osei Bright of the GNS Anzone Division whereas that of the female category was received by Recruit Derry Gervina of the GNS Yogaga Division.

GNS Anzone was also adjudged the best division having produced a score of 5,875 in an average time of 52 minutes.

Source: Akukorku media