Benjamin Azamati reveals Ghana U-20 football trials before sprinting stardom

Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has revealed that he initially aspired to pursue a football career and even trained with Ghana’s U-20 national team.

Azamati, who holds the national record for the fastest 100m time, described himself as a talented footballer but ultimately turned to athletics due to his exceptional speed.

“I even had trials with Ghana’s U-20 men’s team in Koforidua. I’m actually a pretty good footballer, but I felt track and field was more individual, and I believed I could excel in it,” Azamati shared during an interview with TV3. “Thanks to my PE Masters at Legon Presec who introduced me to athletics, I gave it a shot. Now, here I am as a national record holder.”

The 26-year-old sprinter made history on March 26, 2021, in Texas when he shattered Leo Myles-Mills’ 22-year-old national record, clocking 9.97 seconds. Azamati has since represented Ghana on the global stage, competing in two Olympic Games.

He also won gold as part of the men’s 4x100m relay team at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, cementing his place as one of Ghana’s finest track athletes.