Top Karate Do Athlete Edmund Amoako Asante believes the Ghana Karate Do Team preparing for the 13^th African Games can shine and win medals for the nation.

In an exclusive interview, he expressed that everyone is determined to do something and hopes Ghanaians will pray for them.

He said training at Cape Coast has been good as they had a peaceful camp everything is going on well.

He noted that athletes have been informed that they will move to Accra on Monday instead of the Wednesday earlier planned.

According to Amoako, the African Games is an opportunity to excel and he is going to give all his best.

He thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif for his visit to the camp which gave the athletes some hope.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The fever of the 13^th African Games has not yet catch up with the people of Accra but media reports confirm that 49 countries of the African Union (AU) plus the host nation are ready to present athletes and officials for the event planned for March 8–23, 2024.

According to the Graphic Sports, five countries, namely Cape Verde, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, and South Sudan, are yet to confirm their presence at the prestigious sporting event.

The countries that have confirmed their participation are Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cameroun, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The rest are Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Somalia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Participating nations are required to submit all athlete and team data before the submission deadline of 23:59 (GMT) on February 25, 2024, ensuring smooth organization and planning for the event.

With 23 competitive sporting events lined up for the tournament, including athletics, badminton, cycling, and wrestling, among others, the African Games will also serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for eight sports disciplines.

Additionally, 16 other sports, such as basketball (3x3), football, swimming, and weightlifting, will feature prominently in the competition, showcasing the diverse athletic talent from across Africa.

Excitingly, five other sports, including e-sports, mixed martial arts, and scrabble, will be observed as demonstration sports.

Ghana is hosting the African Games for the first time, and anticipation is high, with over 4,000 elite athletes expected to participate from the confirmed 49 countries. The event promises to be a festival of sportsmanship, aptitude, and unity of Africa.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

World football governing body FIFA has dismissed recent reports suggesting the introduction of blue cards in major competitions for the upcoming season, contradicting claims of an imminent trial set to be announced this week.

According to The Telegraph, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) was expected to unveil plans for the introduction of blue cards into the sport, possibly commencing next season.

However, it was suggested that these cards would not be utilized in top-tier competitions but could feature in tournaments like the FA Cup and League Cup if the Football Association (FA) opts to include them as part of the trial.

FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called 'blue card' at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.

Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this…

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 8, 2024

Nevertheless, FIFA has rebuffed assertions that blue cards will not be implemented in elite-level competitions. In a statement released on Thursday, FIFA clarified: "FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called 'blue card' at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature. Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 1 March."

The proposed trial would empower referees to brandish blue cards for dissent and fouls aimed at halting promising attacks, resulting in a player's temporary expulsion from the field for 10 minutes.

While blue cards have already been introduced in grassroots football in certain regions, their potential introduction to professional football signifies a broader incorporation of the 'sin-bin' regulation.

FIFA is slated to deliberate on the initiation of a blue card trial at the forthcoming annual general meeting in March.

However, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has already expressed reservations, asserting that such measures would detract from the essence of football, remarking, "It's not football anymore."

Source Graphic Sports

Winifred Ntumi, a National Weightlifting Star won Team Ghana's first three medals in the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, in the 45kg category. However, she will no longer compete in the 45kg category but rather in the 49kg category. She is poised to repeat this feat in Accra.

According to Winifred, Accra is her home and she can not afford to see other nationals come to claim the Gold Medals.

“Am seriously training very hard to win Gold for Ghana, This is our chance to prove and for our countrymen, family, friends and fans to see us perform at the international level, we just need motivation and encouragement to do what we can do best” she said.

Winifred Ntumi is a member of the Golden Cranes, the Ghana National Weightlifting team.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

It will be used to force a player off the field for 10 minutes if he commits a foul that prevents an attack deemed dangerous or if he protests a lot to a referee.

A blue card with a yellow card will result in a red card. 2 blue cards will result in red.

A first phase of testing will take place, possibly in the FA Cup. It will initially not be used in major competitions.

Source Telegraph

A star in his own class

Football star, Mathew Anim Cudjoe keep on shining where ever he plays, he is still scoring splendid goals.

The diminutive at 1.68m but enterprising and effective fast Cudjoe is bringing joy to his fans at Dundee United in Scotland.

The Tangerines are much grateful to possess a player like Mathew who can create and conjure goals, the lifeblood of football.

He has contributed massively to the success of his club, however he is not content until he wins the big titles and trophies like the League, European Championship or any FIFA event.

With the support of able and affable manager, Mr. Sammy Anim Addo, he has earned respect and reputation and at his current base, but will not reject a chance to play for the National team, because he is Ghanaian and wants to play a part. For now the 20 year old rising star will be happy to play in the Olympic Games which is his target and other FIFA or GFA arrangements.

Mr. Sammy Anim Addo who is CEO of Soccer Apostles has inspired and manages other rising stars like Emmanuel Yeboah aka ‘99 Ideas’ and others coming up.

The sports developer and promoter, also CEO of Gold Star Consult must be commended for his vision in discovering sports gems.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Sammy Anim Addo, Co Manager of John Laryea Meets Peter Kahn at Centenos SweatBox Boxing Gym, Florida

Ace boxing manager Peter Kahn and Ghanaian sports promoter Sammy Anim Addo of Bronx Boxing Promotions have met at the Centenos SweatBox Boxing Gym in Florida to strategise on finding opponents for undefeated WBO Africa Featherweight champion John Laryea aka ‘Expensive Boxer.

Peter who was named 2022 Manager of the year was recently linked to Laryea as Co Manager in charge of the USA and other overseas projects.

According to Sammy Anim Addo, CEO of the Asamoah Gyan Foundation together Team Laryea will hit the target as every thing is going on smoothly.

He expressed that John Laryea must just remain focused and concentrate on becoming a top boxing star.

“Our strategy to elevate John Laryea by arranging bouts in the United States is to transform the gem from the Bronx Gym, James Town to a world star in boxing” he said.

John Laryea is handled by experienced Coach Lawrence Carl Lokko.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

All the boxers who have been selected by the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) to feature at the 13^th African Games are anxious and eager to make names for themselves.

The Boxing Team who has been training seriously on their own at their clubs before they were called up for a training camp in Cape Coast want to be remembered as heroes and champions after the Games dubbed ‘Accra 2023’.

As some professional boxers like Henry Malm, Mohammad Aryeetey and Olympic Bronze medalist Samuel Takyi have decided to help the nation at the All 13th African games Accra coming up March 8th-24th, it is now up to the government and people of Ghana to offer them massive support and encouragement.

The training drills are led by the renowned Dr. Coach Ofori Asare (Head Trainer of the National Team) who is also very hopeful that Ghana want to sweep all the medals in Boxing at the13th African Games.

Assisting the celebrated trainer are Vicent Akai Nettey (Head coach of Attoh Quarshie Boxin Gym) and Daniel Larteykwei Lartey (Head trainer of Fit Square Gym) together with Frank Addo and Elvis Robertson from the Wisdom and Akotoku Academy Boxing gyms respectively.

News from the camp states that the boxers are really happy and in good mood hoping to give out their best of the best to put the nation on the map when the 13th African Games begins from March 8th.

Camp Roster

Black Bombers (Male Boxers)

Samuel Takyi

Mohammed Aryeetey

Theophilus Allottey

Amadu Mohammad

Wahid Omar

Abraham Mensah

Joseph Commey

Alfred Kotey

Abdul Adam

Henry Malm

Jonathan Tetteh

Abu Kamoko

Daniel Plange

Black Hitters (Female Boxers)

Janet Acquah

Ramatu Quaye

Adelaide Djarbatey

Sarah Apew

Anatu Mohammad

Sandra Darkwah

Trudy Manteaw

By Augustus Dodoo

On 17th February 2024, the all ladies race comes off at the University of Ghana Sports Complex opposite the UG stadium/ Swimming pool.

It is another opportunity to exercise and recreate together.

The Breaking Federation of Ghana will organise a Professional Dance Workshop for dancers in Ghana.

According to Instructor / Coach Bboy Lyricx aka Nana Tufour Okai, the event is all about education, transformation, culture and sports, and urges all dancers who wish to take their careers to higher levels to be present.

The Workshop is on Thursday 8th February 2023, from 9am to 4pm at the Nima Maamobi Community Learning Centre ,Accra.

He hinted that the climax of the Workshop would be Toprock battle, Footwork Battle, Octagon Battle and more.

He said B Girl Tris who has been selected to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games Qualifiers will be in action.

Nana Tufour Okai thanked the media for exposure and publicity especially GTV News, modernghana, newsghana, ultimatesports, African Sports, Asaaseaban.com and Ghanaweb.

He also acknowledged the support of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Technical Dept. in the registration of the Federation.

By Sammy Heywood Okine