Retired national athlete, 75 years old Madam Alice Anum has called for a proper, significant, and memorable honoring of past national Sports Heroes and Legends who excelled at the international level.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive chat at the University of Ghana, Legon Sports Stadium where the legendary sprinter Alice Anum, the original ‘Baby Jet’ came to watch and present medals to some winners said old sportsmen and women who put Ghana on the world map in sports deserve memorable recognition like inscribing their names and images on the walls of the new sports facilities at Legon and Borteyman, like at the Bukom Boxing Arena where names of former world champions are on the various stands.

She suggested suggested that aside street names, they can be remembered with monuments and periodic competitions like the Willie Williams Athletics Competition and Ghana Fastest organized by Reks Brobby which really contributed to the confidence of athletes.

Madam Anum praised the organisers of the 13th African Games and prayed that Ghana will win more medals in Athletics.

She called for more Athletes clubs in an around Legon to make good use of the sports facilities with the support of the University of Ghana, the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

She said young athletes need mentors and inspiration so they often look up to someone and want to be like him or her or better.

Alice Anum won gold in Long Jump at the 1965 first All African Games in Congo Brazaville, she won gold in 100 and 200 meters at the 1973 All African Games in Lagos, Nigeria. She attended the Commonwealth Games in 1970 in Edinburgh, Scotland winning silver in 100 and 200 meters and the 1974 edition in Christchurch, New Zealand where she got bronze in 200 meters.

Alice Anum was the first woman to represent Ghana at the Olympics. She has participated in the 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo, 1968 in Mexico and the 1972 Olympics held in Munich.

She benefited from the sponsorship of Ghanaian athletes by the United States and competed for the University of Tennessee.

She was rewarded in 2010 for her achievements in sports by the Action Progressive Institute in Ghana. Women In Sports Association (WISA) also honoured her some few years ago.

But she believes in being honoured whilst she is alive than when she is dead and gone.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Chairman of the Transport Committee of Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, Mr. Samson Deen is rallying massive support for the national youth female team that has reached the final of the female football event of the International multiple sports festival.

He said football is a big deal, so winning the football gold would be like winning the whole festival.

He has come out with an activation call slogan - "Target the podium for gold and take it by force"

The Women’s Football Final will be on Thursday at 8pm against the Falconets of Nigeria and the match has rekindled the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria in sports.

Although Nigeria has won many medals in other disciplines, they still want to add football, but the Ghanaians do not want to let the football gold slip from them and decided to grab it by force as Mr. Deen said.

According to the President of Ghana National Paralympic Committee (NPC) and CEO of African Origin Travel and Tours, Ghana is storming the Cape Coast Sports Stadium to take what belongs to them.

"Nigeria has won many medals already, the football gold is ours and we are taking it by force" he expressed.

"It's Free Gate, Free Seating, Free Enjoyment and Free Accra 2023 Official Games T Shirt  at the Cape Coast Stadium" he added

He urged football fans to call Bright on - 024 409 4605 as well as WES MIKE on - 024 629 2106 to find space on the free bus to Cape Coast and back.

Meanwhile, the Black Satellites, their national Under 20 team has also made it to the final after beating Senegal 1 - 0 at the Accra Sports Stadium. The football final is on Friday.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Supervisor, Samir Captan, has presented a new WBO Africa Junior Welterweight championship belt to Ghanaian boxer, Faisal Abubakari.

The Ghanaian defeated his Ugandan opponent, Latibu Muwonge, in a 12-round title fight at the Lord’s Wembley Sports Complex at Shukura in Accra three weeks ago.

He received the old title after his victory but was promised a new junior welterweight crown at a later date.

The new champion received the belt from Mr Captan at a ceremony at the Opera Square in Accra on Tuesday, in the presence of the boxer’s supporters and manager / promoter, Edwin Elikem Amenyeawu, CEO of Priceless Life Entertainment.

31-year-old Faisal Abukakar promised to work his way to the WBO world title.

"I will win any title and the world title, I won't let my promoter and manager down," he told the media.

Mr Captan, the ace former boxing promoter and now WBO representative, advised Abubakari to be disciplined and work hard to achieve his target.

"In this sport, there are many ups and downs, so you have to be resolute and never give up," Mr. Captan, a former Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) President expressed.

Mr Amenyeawu said his outfit had an elaborate plan to guide the boxer to reach his full potential and also sign up other budding talents.

"Faisal is the boxer we have now but we are going to sign more boxers this week, we want to revolutionise boxing in the country," he noted.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

African Break Academy (ABA) is organisong a workshop and high level training program designed to build and support dance athletes development geared towards the promotion of Break dance as a new Sport discipline for Paris 2024 Olympics Games in Ghana.

The event is scheduled from 18th to 22nd March 2024, from10am to 4pm at the Nima Maamobi Community Centre.

According to Nana Tufour B Boy Lyrix, a professional instructor from France will conduct the workshop which is supported by French Embassy in Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Since Track & Field aka Athletics of the 13^th African Games started at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, the venue has always been filled to capacity.

Even the foreign visitors are stunned at the way the fans are cheering and chanting for their favourite athletes to shine.

National 100 meters record holder, Benjamin Azamati, a product of the University of Ghana who was expected to dazzle and make the fans happy was a disappointment as he placed 5^th in the finals of the 100 meters final.

Emmanuel Eseme CMR won in 10.14secs, Usheoritse Itsekiri NGR 10.23 was second, Gilbert Hainuca NAM 10.29 was third Consider Ekanem NGR placed fourth while Benjamin Azamati GHA 10.45 was fifth and team mate Barnabas Aggerh GHA 10.50 was sixth. Noa Bibi MRI 10.50 was seventh and Ebrahima Camara GAM 10.56 got the ninth position.

The day was made bright by the astonishing performance of Rose Yeboah who jumped 1.9-m to win the High Jump Women,

William Amponsah also has people cheering in the 10,000 meters with his amazing run against Ethiopians, Kenyans and Ugandans. He did well to place fifth giving the East Africans some challenge and his effort earned him another new national record.

Among the fans who enjoyed themselves during the race were staff of Medievents Consult, organisers of local Marathon Races which propelled Amponsah to where he is now.

Mr. William Ezah CEL of Medivents, sports editor at Ghana News Agency (GNA) and former General Secretary of the Sports Writers Association (SWAG) said Athletics is back in grand style and was sure that in a few years Ghana is going to produce top stars.

Mr, Mohammed Shabaan, Secretary General of Ghana Cycling Association said all the other disciplines came to support Team Ghana to win in Athletics to add to the medals collection.

He was happy Ghana won their 100 x 4 relays in both men and women with Joe Paul Amoah and Hor Halute disging out some fantastic runs.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

22 year old Female high jumper, Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah won Ghana’s first gold medal in Track & Field at the ongoing 13th African Games (Accra 2023), with a jump 1.90m.

She was presented with her medal by the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare and the Sports Minister, Hon Mustapha Ussif.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Samuel 'Ring Warrior' Takyi saw off Tunisia's Mehdi Dridi by a comprehensive 5-0 result to advance into the medal zone of men's lightweight boxing of Accra 2023 Africa Games on Monday 19^th March 2024 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

Takyi 22, who won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has promised to win gold in his division and gradually he is pushing to his dream.

He represented Ghana recently in Italy for another Olympic quest but lost in his first bout.

There is another opportunity in Thailand awaits him later in the year and if he wins the African Games gold, certainly he will be offered the opportunity to try the 2024 Olympic qualification,

The Minister of Youth and Sports believes Samuel Takyi is capable of winning an Olympic gold.

Other Ghanaians cruising at the African Games are Theo Allotey, Mohammed Aryeetey, Adams Mohammed, Joseph Commey and Abu Kamoko

By Sammy Heywood Okine

MTN FA Cup Quarter Finals Drawn As Dreams FC paired against Soccer Intellectuals

The pairings for the Quarter Finals of the 2024 MTN FA Cup came up on Tuesday at the MTN House at Ridge after a draw which saw Nsoatreman playing Karela United, Legon Cities versus Bechem, Bofoakwa against Sky FC and Dreams FC facing Soccer Intellectuals.

Germain Naatey of the MTN Sales and Communications Department asked what people are doing on the day as the best place to be is at a venue to watch the MTN FA Cup. He expressed that activities will be held to go alongside the competition to create more excitement.

He congratulated 2023 winners, Dreams FC for beating King Faisal to represent Ghana in Africa, where they are doing quite well.

He said MTN will create a fan zone and match excitement before and during the games.

"We will create community fan parks to engage the communities and other activations to entice the fans" he said.

He revealed the MTN is spending a total 1,500,000ghc cedis on the competition and suggested that female referees should be appointed to officiate matches.

Mr. Wilson Arthur, chairman of MTN Fa Cup Committee said the competition level very high and clubs to win can not be predicted. He commended defending champions, Dreams FC for doing well in the continental campaign.

He hailed MTN for their exciting activations and promotions to market the competition.

According to the Chairman, gates will be free for ladies and under 15 years football fans to make it a family affair.

He announced that the matches will be covered by professional media partners.

Mr. Mohammed Shaban of the GFA communications gave an overview of MTN FA Cup history as well as records of the participants.

Ms Abigail Sena Sosu, a sports journalist urged football fans to troop to the match venues to watch and support their favourite players and clubs.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Sports Equity™ Lab (SEL) and Swiss sportswear brand On partner to showcase six outstanding African athletes in a 10-meter-tall installation at the venue of the 2024 African Games.

ACCRA, Ghana, March 18, 2024 - An interactive celebration of athleticism and inclusivity inspires audiences at the 2024 African Games. Sports Equity™ Lab and Swiss sportswear brand On’s “Right To Run” program joined forces to present the installation "African Giants" this week at the University of Ghana.

Images of six of Africa’s most iconic athletes light up the front wall of the University of Ghana’s sports stadium and take center stage for all visitors approaching the venue of the 2024 African Games in Accra. The installation - Ghana’s first sports interactive LED - invited attendees to contribute their photographs, symbolizing solidarity with the athletes and becoming integral to their stories. The submitted photographs collectively form the images of the African Giants and connect visitors to the aspirational athleticism of African athletes.

Handpicked for their remarkable achievements, the featured sports personalities include On athlete Hellen Obiri, the only woman to have won world titles in indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country alongside Feryal Abdelaziz, the first female Egyptian karateka to win Olympic gold; Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, the first Ghanaian to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics; Noemi Alphonse, the first Mauritian para-athlete to reach a Paralympic Games final; Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a multi-world championship Paralympic Games medalist; and Abedi Ayew Pele, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

“Despite being faced with myriad challenges - limited resources, insufficient funding, and systemic biases - Africa continues to produce a constellation of stellar athletes who defy odds and etch their names in sporting history year over year, and generation over generation”, SEL founder Prof Dr. Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu points out. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to add value to the Games with this campaign; showcasing our unwavering commitment to driving inclusivity and the transformative power of sport as a catalyst for social good.”

Sports Equity™ Lab (SEL)’s mission is to foster social justice and decency within the realm of sports. Through science and research, community engagement, and creative content, its aim is to promote inclusivity, equality, and fairness across all aspects of sports, eliminating discrimination and creating opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of race, ability, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other form of marginalization.

At the 2024 African Games, On’s social impact program Right To Run supports Sports Equity™ Lab’s Victory in Unity campaign that showcases exceptional African athletes of all backgrounds. It includes the “African Giants” installation and a Game Changers Pan-African Networking Dinner to celebrate, amplify, and establish an enduring, inclusive legacy of the 13th African Games. On’s Head of Africa, Navalayo Osembo, was a keynote speaker at this important event on the African sports calendar.

“As one of the African continent’s prime sports events featuring over 4000 athletes from 40+ African countries competing in 29 different sports, the reach and relevance of the African Games are unparalleled. Being present at this impactful event and helping to further Sports Equity™ Lab's mission of increasing inclusion and reducing inequities in sports has been a vital project for us, especially as On's engagement in Africa is still in its early stages," says Osembo.

Since their initial collaboration in 2023, Right To Run and Sports Equity™ Lab have made significant strides in promoting awareness and inclusion within the sporting community.

Source Elliott Stares

New boxing promoters, Twinstar Promotions have  held a Press Conference at the Accra City Engineers, James Town to introduce and unveil boxers for their bout scheduled for March 30, 2024 bout at Weija-SCC SSNT Fore  Court.

According to PRO of Twinstar, Prince Dornu- Leiku the concept of the bill is to take boxing to the communities.

He said the people of Bukom and James Town have seen much boxing and it is about time boxing is taken to other places.

He noted that people all over Ghana love boxing and the idea to take the promotions round has been embraced by the people of Weija and Kasoa.

Mr, Ahmed Nureni - Davis, CEO of Twinstar said he is a former boxer and boxig fan who wants to support young boxers and take them to their dream destinations.

The boxers on the bill include Samuel Quaye, Dodzie Kemeh, Daniel Otoo, Samuel Laryea, Holy Dorgbetor, Joeseph Sackey and others

According to CEO Ahmed Nureni - Davis fans will have much to be excited about as there would be other entertainment featuring some popular musicians.

Match maker, Mubarak Nanor said there are some boxers who people do not know and they will be introduce in the ring on March 30.

He said the gate fee is very affordable going at 100 for VIP, while regular and popular stands go for 50ghs and 30ghc.

By Sammy Heywood Okine