Deputy CEO of Bronx Boxing Promotions Kwadwo Ameyaw and some Gym members have made a presentation on behalf of the management to Coach Carl Lokko on his birthday.

The Gym is known to have produced manager Champs including current WBO Featherweight Champion, John Laryea, WBO Lightweight Champion Sheriff Quaye, National Super Bntamweight Champion Selasie Gosh and a host of other National Champs.

Officials who were at the ceremony are Donkor Raymond, Badu Ahiatrogah Felix Kofi, Mohenu Floyd, Kofi Quaye, John, Kwame and others.

Gym members and trainers present were Nii Kweikuma Quaye, Samuel Nii Armarh, Mohammed Agyemang, Daniel Ayree, Ismael Armartey Akron , Ishmael Quaye and Raymond Shamo Quaye were all present.

Video and pictures were taken by the official documentary film producer and cameraman, Wilburn Aboagye Nana Kojo.

Source Bronx Boxing Gym

There is something deeply confusing about a drawn game where the two teams split the points. First, the splitting of points is illogical, and we have concluded that football has no logic. (See Diary 5). This is what I mean: a win in football gives three points to the winner and zero to the loser, but when the two teams draw, they get one point each instead of sharing the three points equally. However, that is different from our current mathematical problem. We will come to that soon.

The second and more disconcerting thing about draws is how we respond to them. Should we be happy or sad? Football support and emotional intelligence may be poles apart, but the game’s support has an inner mechanism lodged in a part of the human brain that needs particular interpretation.

Our response as a nation exemplifies that inner working at its most befuddling. We were expecting a drubbing at the hands of Egypt. That made sense. We had just been dispatched by the weaker Cape Verde, so what chance did we stand against Egypt with Sallah leading the charge? Indeed, a Ghanaian prophet had revealed that even God had disowned his own country. So, we went into the match fully aware and accepting of our status as a hopeless underdog. We came out with a draw. Should we not be happy?

No. It doesn’t work that way. If you want to understand how this works per formula, this is it: if you play badly but get a draw, you are happy. If you play well but get a draw, you are sad. Yesterday, our boys (they are men, but we have always called them boys) played their hearts out and deserved to win. So that is what is known as a bad draw. Egypt, on the other hand, expected to win. They came out second-best on the field of play. They ended up with a good draw. They ought to be happy.

In truth, however, Ghanaians have every reason to be happy; of course, the prophet whose prophecy turned out false must be really unhappy, but there is always a reason to explain why the message may have been garbled. We may still need his services. The Black Stars that took the field differed from the lot that played against Cape Verde. In addition to the sensational Kudus, most players played at a much higher tempo and with extraordinary verve.

The mathematicians are out in their numbers doing every known and unknown calculation to determine the chances of the Black Stars. It is a complicated situation, and it has become even more so with Cape Verde’s win against Mozambique. There is a slim chance that Ghana can qualify through mathematical computation, which hinges on Egypt faltering in their third match and Ghana playing heroically in theirs.

There are many reasons why the Stars must win, and we will explore them in subsequent Diary entries, but for me, it is simple. I want many opportunities to wear my Black Star shirt, donated by MTN, a few more times. For this reason, I implore mathematicians to work together with miracle workers. Calling all miracleticians – YOUR NATION NEEDS YOU.

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National Boxing Coach Ofori Asare has disclosed that Seth Gyamfi aka Freezy Macbones joined the Black Bombers for the African Olympic Qualifiers at the wrong time.

“We didn’t even assess him, but due to the hype and publicity we selected him, believing he will do well, but he lost at the Qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, his inclusion has taught us a lot of things, preparing for a big tournament like the Olympic Games takes a lot of time and energy in preparations, I don’t think he was prepared to join the Black Bombers” he told Yours Truly in an exclusive interview.

He expressed that Freezy Macbones has a lot to learn as an amateur and the professional tactics was a problem for him fighting at the Olympic level.

The national coach wished Macbones all the best in his professional career.

According to Coach Asare, the national boxing teams, the Bombers and Hitters (females) have intensified their training towards the Olympic World Qualifiers and 13^th African Games.

He noted that Ghana will parade boxers in all the weight categories in both male and female at the African Games to be able to win more medals.

He observed that the boxers are very serious and taken up the challenge to represent the nation at the 13^th African Games.

Samuel Takyi, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist who is still in the Black Bombers team, and hopes to captain the squad said his target is to win Gold at the African and Olympic Games.

“Am charged up, I want to make history for myself and my country” he said.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

But for some individual mistakes, the Black Stars of Ghana would have walked away with three points on Thursday in their second Group B encounter against Egypt at the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Egypt had to come back twice to share the spoils in a pulsating game which ended two all amidst a Mohammed Kudus' masterclass.

It was also a massive improvement from the previous game which saw Ghana shockingly losing 2-1 to Cape Verde.

With that in mind, Ghana's Starman, Kudus said in the post match press conference that, it was possible the Black Stars would beat Mozambique in their final Group B encounter to qualify to the next stage of the competition.

Although Ghana could have avoided the situation where a lot of calculations would be required to decide their fate, it seems to be the only way out.

With 24 teams splitted into six groups of four with the top two in each - plus the four best third-placed sides - going through to the Round of 16, Ghana could qualify if they win against Mozambique on Monday.

Man of the Match, Kudus told the press, he would have loved his goals to give Ghana better results but only had a point, though they deserved more.

"The goals they scored were some silly mistakes from us which we should learn from as we put this game aside and focus on the next one," he said.

Inaki Williams' terrible back pass to Richard Ofori in the 69th minute was rather met by Mostafa Mohamed who equalised for Egypt after Kudus put Ghana in the lead in the 45th minute.

Kudus immediately restored the lead again in the 71st minute only for Inaki's substitute, Osman Bukari to dribble into his own box and give the ball away for another equaliser from Omar Marmoush in the 76th minute.

Kudus who is the current 2023 SWAG Best Sports Personality and Best Footballer added that, Egypt was a good side and the Black Stars showed some great enthusiasm and energy.

"Credit to all the boys, everyone gave their all and we need to do same in the next game," he stated.

For qualification to the next stage, Kudus said, it was very possible as they would finish the last game with the same focus and fighting spirit.

"We need to do more than that in the last game to get all the three points and see what would happen later," he added.

The ultimate aim he said, was to win the trophy but would take things one step at a time.

"The focus is one game after the other and we would do well to bring the trophy home," he stressed.

Meanwhile some Ghanaian fans in Abidjan who were hoping to hit the streets to celebrate Ghana's victory had to put their drinks back on ice following the disappointing 2-2 draw.

They would be waiting with bated breath for  a win against Mozambique to enter into wild jubilations.

With support from MTN, over 160 Ghanaians are in Ivory Coast to support the Black Stars in all their group matches.

Source MTN @ Afcon 2023

It was the Mohamed Kudus show in the Black Stars of Ghana versus the Pharoahs of Egypt encounter were he scored a brace in the 48th minute of the first half and 71st in the second half to stun the Egyptians who had been initially stunned when their ace Star Mo Salah left the match prior to Kudus scoring his first goal in the first half due to injury.

The Pharoahs came back in the second half playing for respect and survival in the absence of Mo Salah but courtesy of forward Omar Marmoush they were able to level the score at one goal apiece before the Black Stars’ Kudus logged another goal in again immediately following that equalizer to put the Black Stars ahead again.

The Achilles for the Ghanaians though was their defense who were at best sloppy as both goals scored by the Egyptian could be attributed to careless play by them .

Out of respect for effort and tenacity one could not take away credit to Omar Marmoush for his goal so too that of Mostafa Mohamed who scored the equalizer in the 74th minute to take away Ghana’s assured victory.

Coming from a loss to the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde the Black Stars needed a win to stay alive and qualify for the next stage but they had to settle for a draw with the hope of winning their final match against Mozambique.

Source African Sports

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council has given its stamp of approval to Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, appointing him as the Chairman of the Beach Soccer Committee.

This committee will take on the crucial responsibility of overseeing both the Beach Soccer League and the national beach soccer team.

Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has a wealth of experience and expertise in the position, promising to steer beach soccer in Ghana to new heights.

Vice Chairman of the Committee is Solomon Torson, a Deputy General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG). Together, they form a formidable leadership duo set to shape the future of beach soccer in the country.

Yaw Kusi Gyamfi, George Darko, and Nana Poku Amankwaah are other members,

Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah is also head of sports at Max TV and Communications Director at the GOC.

Source Sammy Heywood Okine

TECNO; the Global Innovative technology brand will light up the African Cup of Nations from the 13th January to 12th February 2024.

As the official sponsor of the African football festival in Côte d'Ivoire, TECNO organized a star-studded charity football match on the second day of the competition.

The game featured some popular household football legends such as Jay-Jay Okocha from Nigeria, El Hadji Diouf from Senegal, Asamoah Gyan from Ghana, Dennis Oliech from Kenya and Erick Otieno from Uganda.

They graced the field in a show of support and solidarity for the sport and community development.

Before the friendly match kicked-off, TECNO announced an ambitious philanthropic initiative to refurbish 100 community football pitches across Africa within the next five years. This initiative aims to foster and build youth engagement, promote healthy living, and ensure access to quality playing fields in under-served communities.

As part of the big  announcement, Black Stars legend Asamoah Gyan and a 10-year-old football prodigy Shaun spoke passionately about the experience and excitement.

Also known as Baby Jet, Gyan stated that good pitches constitute a vital part of football development.  "We embark on a mission to illuminate countless dreams by revitalizing 100 pitches across Africa," emphasizing the transformative power of TECNO's initiative.

Shaun added, "Thanks to TECNO, we're building better places to play and grow!" Together, they highlighted the importance of accessible sports facilities and the community's role in nurturing the aspirations of Africa's youth.

Source Yaw Ampofo Ankrah

After the disappointing defeat to Cape Verde in Ghana's first Group B match at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON), it is crystal clear a cross-section of Ghanaians have lost confidence in the Black Stars.

However, despite the initial setback, it is now more imperative than ever to unite as a nation and extend unwavering support to the team.

A critical observation proves that the Black Stars are poised to perform better in their next game against Egypt on Thursday.

Acknowledging the arduous nature of today's impending game, a resounding call resounds—instilling confidence in the hearts of citizens as a unified nation rallies wholeheartedly behind the Black Stars.

The acknowledgment that victory won't come easily serves not as a deterrent but as a catalyst for unyielding support and a genuine belief in the prowess of the national team. The mantra becomes clear: "Let us bring back the love!"

In a heartening turn of events, a Ghanaian family residing in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, has emerged as a symbol of unwavering support, urging the Black Stars to approach the game against Egypt with unwavering determination and fearless commitment.

Their steadfast allegiance to the team echoes a broader sentiment, expressing the collective hope that the Black Stars will rise to the occasion and bring pride to the nation by securing a triumphant outcome against their formidable opponents.

The unswerving backing of Ghanaian communities, both within the borders of the nation and abroad, adds a poignant layer to this narrative.

It underscores a shared determination among the people to witness the Black Stars transcend expectations and emerge victorious on the continental stage. The collective spirit of the Ghanaian people becomes a powerful force propelling the team forward.

In a noteworthy development, MTN, the telecommunications giant, has earned resounding applause for orchestrating a remarkable initiative.

By facilitating the travel of 163 Ghanaian fans, stakeholders, and football enthusiasts to the Ivory Coast, MTN has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting the Black Stars.

This all-expenses-paid trip stands as a testament to the company's corporate backing and is strategically designed to galvanize support for the senior national team, fostering an environment conducive to their success at this prestigious continental showpiece.

In this moment, it transcends being merely a football match; it symbolizes a convergence of collective hopes, unwavering support, and national pride.

Source MTN

Mr. Yaw Sakyi Afari Chairman of the Marketing and Sponsorship Committee of the Local Organization Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games (Accra2023) has called on Ghanaian companies to invest the biggest sports festival on the continent as there are many benefits to be derived.

He also tasked the media to promote the African Games with positive news.

Mr. Yaw Sakyi who led some sports journalists on Wednesday to inspect facilities for the Games at Borteyman and Legon said, “Ghana is ready to host and make history so companies should come on board, while journalists should also give positive news reports to promote the Games.”

He said the government has put up a new sports hall , tennis courts, aquatic center, tartan track and football field and ready to welcome the 54 African countries that would be taking part in the 13th African Games.

Among the 20 journalists who toured the facilities were Mr. Dan Kweku Yeboah Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Mr. Maurice Quansah, member of the committee, Mr. Theo Sampa of GTV, Ms. Doreen Lamptey of Obonu TV and experienced Sammy Heywood Okine aka General One of African Sports and the Ghana Olympic Committee.

By Rejoice Awurabena Adzi

St. Francis Tennis Foundation’s Ethan Delali Dzidzornu was in tears after beating Tema based Ernest Sarkodia in an hour and 20 mins game to win the 2024 Sydney Katz Junior Open Championship, 12 and under category.

Ethan Delali who lost last year finals to Joseph Tetteh 4-6,6-0,3-6 in the GT Oddoye Junior 10 and under championship came back stronger with  relentless domination of tennis with no sign of letting up as he defeated Joseph Tetteh 4-1, 4-2 in the semifinals before finishing it up with a 4-0,0-4,10-7 win over Sarkodie in the finals  at the Accra Lawn Tennis Club.

The Tema Ridge school star, Ethan Dzidzornu and his opponent Bismark Sarkodie traded with big blows from baseline and after serving two break points to lead 2-0, Ethan pinched  Sarkodie’s serve for 3-0 before serving for out the opener. Sarkodie came back to win the second set 4-0.

In the final set , Another early break put Ethan in command and sealed the victory by taking Sarkodie’s  serve.“It means a lot to me,” Ethan said, after standing, arms aloft as he sealed the win.

“We put in a lot of work in many, many hours – a lot of sacrifices. It was a very nice moment for me.”

 Ghana's Tennis Club upcoming star Jeffery Frimpong won the boys 14 under category title after beating Winneba based Michael Nyarko 4-1,1-4,4-2. Listowel Plommey from St. Francis Tennis Academy, Ashaiman won the boys 16 and under title.

However, in the girls' event, No.2 seed Witnney Orimdoye defeated No.1 seed Grace Tetteh 5-4(4), in the final of the Sydney Katz Open 10 and under title."I'm really happy with how I was able, to win my first title in 2024,” Whitney said.  thanks to Grace, she’s not an easy player, I think she's one of the most talented players.”

Another trophy for St. Francis Tennis Academy where Nhyira Antwi won the girls 12 and under after defeating Akaguri 5-3,3-5,(10-7). In the girls 14 and under, Osu Based Georgette Nortey defined all odds after upsetting top seed Angel Bagerbaseh in the second round and defeated her arch-rival Phylis Kotey in the semifinals before finishing it with a win 4-1,4-2 over Philipina Sewornu.

It was a family affair in the girls 16 and under as Mbongta Awantang beat her sister Bei-neh Awantang 4-1,4-0 to win title.

 The tournament organizer, Michael Nortey said, I am happy we have been able to organize the fourth edition very well. I thank all the winners. I urge all to expect something bigger in the 5th edition of Sydney Katz Open because it will be five years of the event.

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh