Alberta Mumaah, a Basic Seven student from Saamambo JHS in the Wa West District, has won the only gold medal for the Upper West Region at the National Basic Schools Sports Festival in Accra. She achieved this remarkable feat with a 32-metre throw in the girls' javelin event. Her journey to becoming a national champion began with an improvised wooden stick carved by her teacher, Seidu Osman, as her school did not have a javelin.
The Member of Parliament for Wa West, Supt. (Rtd) Peter Lanchene Toobu, has adopted Alberta and pledged to support her education and sports career. He presented her with cash and announced that he would buy three brand-new standard javelins for her training. The MP expressed his pride in Alberta's achievement and believes she has the potential to become an international medalist for Ghana.
Alberta's triumph is a story of grit, determination, and improvisation. According to her trainer, Seidu Osman, the school did not have a javelin when Alberta began training. They started with a wooden stick that was heavier than a normal javelin. Alberta recorded a throw of 28 metres at her first inter-schools competition, improving to 30 metres to win at the Wa West and inter-district competitions.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Physical Education Coordinator, Moomin Ishahaque, recounted how the Upper West Region participated in athletics and returned with several medals, but only one gold – and that gold came from Wa West. He stated that the region did not come home empty-handed, but Alberta's gold medal was a standout achievement.
Supt. (Rtd) Toobu charged Alberta to remain disciplined as she develops her talent. He advised her that the discipline required to go forward must come from her, guided by her teachers, parents, and society. The MP also expressed his belief that Alberta can win an international gold medal for Ghana in the future.
The headmaster of Saamambo JHS, represented by Abdullah Ibrahim, thanked the MP for his support and urged students to take sports seriously. He appealed to the MP to support Alberta's potential entry into the security services in the future. Alberta's journey from throwing a heavy wooden stick at Saamambo JHS to standing on a national podium in Accra may only be the beginning.
Alberta's achievement has earned her a life-changing reward, with her school fees and training costs covered by the MP. Her story serves as an inspiration to students and athletes across Ghana, highlighting the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving success.
Key points
- Alberta Mumaah, a 15-year-old from Ghana's Upper West Region, wins gold in the girls' javelin event at the National Basic Schools Sports Festival.
