Pho3nix Kids Runs Empower Over 1,000 Ghanaian Children Through Sport

16 Jul 2024

After two events and one more to go, Pho3nix Kids Runs in Ghana have already given over a thousand children the opportunity to participate, find joy, and transform their lives through the power of sport.

The Pho3nix Kids Runs held in Accra and Kumasi drew far more numbers than the anticipated 350 kids each, with some travelling for hours just to participate. Eleven-year-old Salamatu Suleman from Nyinawusu in the Ashanti region took a gruelling seven-hour bus ride from Kumasi with her school teacher just to run in Accra on the 10th of February, arriving at 5:30am for the race’s 8:30am start. She put on a stunning performance to record the fastest time for both boys and girls in her age group, and achieved the third best time overall with a sub-4-minute per kilometre pace over the 2-kilometre race.

Salamatu had woken up at 5am every day for months to train for the race, encouraged by her teacher Mr. Twumasi who had seen her potential on the playground. The Pho3nix Kids Fun Run presented an opportunity to test her skills and bring some joy into her rigorous routine going from school to helping her parents on their farm.

The Pho3nix Kids Fun Run held closer to home in Kumasi on the 15th of June saw Salamatu claim first place again with an even faster time. She now dreams of becoming a professional athlete and competing in the Olympics one day.

For Edith Dong, the Pho3nix Fun Run in Accra reignited not just love for athletics, but also determination to excel in school. According to her coach, the junior high sprinter had struggled with truancy at school and at practice for the past year; hearing of the Pho3nix Fun Run piqued her interest. Together with her father, she journeyed to Accra to compete in the 5K where she won her first medal and a spot on the podium.

Encouraged by this success, she also competed in Kumasi where she won once again. Now she has committed to improve both her athletic performance and academic standing.

For Salamatu, Edith, and many other kids in Ghana, sports are more than just a hobby; they are a lifeline that provides them with a sense of purpose and a way to envision a future beyond their current circumstances.

With the final Pho3nix Fun Run Ghana this year happening on the 24th of August in Tamale, we will welcome even more children to the worldwide Pho3nix movement, empowering them through the lifelong love of sport.

Today, the Pho3nix Foundation officially launches the fourth edition of its global Pho3nix Athlete Program, a unique initiative to identify and financially support athletes striving for the Olympics and Paralympics. Now accepting applications for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, the Pho3nix Athlete Program is open to competitors in any individual Olympic or Paralympic sport who are on their journey to qualification. This program addresses the financial and personal sacrifices made by these aspiring Olympians and Paralympians, many of whom work multiple jobs to sustain their training despite being among the best in their disciplines. Rooted in the Pho3nix Foundation’s mission to boost children’s participation in sports, the Athlete Program provides athletes with the financial support needed for training, equipment, competition, and travel. By shouldering these costs, Pho3nix allows these athletes to concentrate on performing at their peak on the world’s biggest stage. Additionally, the Foundation spotlights their journeys to inspire youth worldwide, underscoring its motto, “Together We Rise.” Since 2020, Pho3nix has supported over 60 athletes from 25 nations across 30 sports at three Olympic and Paralympic Games cycles, with over 60% of its athletes achieving their Games dreams. Program alumni have won a total of three Gold medals, […]

Pho3nix Kids Runs Empower Over 1,000 Ghanaian Children Through Sport

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