Female boxer from Zambia, Lolita Muzeya is in Ghana to face Yarkor Chavez in a Super Welterweight contest at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

The Rumble to Freedom Bill by Box Office Promotions has been spiced with the international female contest to thrill spectators.

Lolita has a record of17 fights 16 wins 1 lose.

She said Lila Ali, daughter of the legendary Mohammed Ali and Azumah Nelson of Ghana are her idols.

Her most difficult bout was in the UK against Savanna Marshall.

Her manager and coach, Mr. Christopher Malunga told Yours Truly she is in in top form and will certainly go for a win.

The 31 years old pugilist started boxing 12 years ago

She is an icon in Zambia, having held WBC INTERNATIONAL Championship Title.

She weighed 154 pounds (69.8kg) at the weigh in against Yarkor Chavez who weighed 69.7 kg.

Lolita intimated that Ghanaian boxing fans will be threated with marvelous boxing on Independence Day 2022.

Meanwhile, Yarkor Chavez Annan also called Naa Yaoley Atsiabroni 1 decided to put down her regalia to climb the ring again. Before she was enstooled, she promised to be back to encourage female boxers in Ghana.

Their bout is an undercard to the big fight between Robert Quaye and George Ashie.

CEO of Box Office, Mr. Alexander Ntiamoah - Boakye appealed to fans coming to the venue to comport themselves and show unity, peace and love.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

... National title holder Musah Lawson wins best boxer award

The Ghana Boxing Professional League week 2 lived up to its billing as boxers who appeared on the show put up classic display to the amazement of patrons, guests and fans.

Entertainment was also on high point with the performance of AK Songstress, Bukom Banku, the female trumpeter and saxophonist as well as the Jamestown Dance Academy.

The League which is organized by Imax Media Promotions with the backing of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) was well attended last Saturday night and the fans were really content with what they saw at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

In the first match of the night, Joshua Banor of Palm Springs gym and Benjamin Tetteh of Akotoku club fought to a draw when the later suffered a cut on his face.

Reginald Lamptey of Seconds Out and Edward Borna of Attoh Quarshie thrilled the spectators with amazing amateur boxing.

Experienced Stephen Abbey of Seconds Out knocked out Kumakuwe Kwame of the Gym, while Cann Neequaye, son of the GBA President and Israel Neequaye also dished fantastic amateur boxing.

Elvis Ahorgah of Fit Square defeated Hamed Mohammed in another exciting bout.

Benedict Tetteh and Samuel Abbey put up another amateur exhibition before skilful John Quaye of Sea View proved too strong for Nje Saotu of Wisdom Boxing Gym.

Caleb Mensah and Joseph Mensah displayed their amateur skills and Abdul Suleman of Black Panthers put Attoh Quarshie's Dan Oduro down via a TKO.

In the final title match, Musah Lawson of Sonia had it really tough before defending his national light Welterweight title against Sonia product Charles Lesko Sossiya. The bout traveled the full distance with the scores, 111 - 116, 110 - 117 and 108-118. Lawson, a former Black Bomber now has a pro record of 7 fights, 7 wins and no lose.

Outstanding boxers on the night were rewarded with TCL and Techno products by Miss Anita Ashong. Juvenile boxer Edward Borna, Caleb Mensah for best amateur and the best professional boxer going to Musah Lawson.

The Ghana Professional Boxing League is sponsored by Imax Media, Techno Mobile, Renault, Eddie's Pizza and Socabet

In a chat after the bouts, President of the GBA, Mr. Abraham Neequaye commended the boxers for their great shows and declared that the days of fixed fights popularly known as 'Astiabeshie' are over.

"We are rebranding Ghana Boxing and we want to thank the sponsors, officials and fans who made the night super" he said.

Former GBA President Peter Zwennes, CEO of Ranault Ghana and Nii Lante Vanderpuje, MP for Odododiodoo were among the dignitaries present.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Robert Quaye aka ‘Stopper’ 1has declared war on George Ashie as they go into battle on Sunday March 6 for the IBF Continental Africa Junior Welterweight title at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

It is the Rumble to Freedom Bill by Box Office Sports Promotions of Bukom.

Speaking at the final press conference, Quaye promised to end the bout before round 7. "I have everything in boxing more than Ashie Kotey and I have also been taught a lot of things by Emmanuel Tagoe, I will do everything times ten" he expressed.

However cool and gentle Ashie The Red Tiger urged his supporters to come to the arena in their numbers as he has a special gift to offer. He weighed 137 pounds against Stopperwas at 140 pounds. The fight has been labeled as fit for the gods  and it has got a lot of attention and attraction.

CEO of Box Office Sports Promotions Mr. Alex Ntiamoah Boakye appealed to boxing fans attending the big fight to be disciplined and behave well. He was supported by the marketing manager of Somoco Ghana Ltd, distributor of Boxer Motor Bikes who are sponsoring the promotion.

Other attractive undercards will see action from African top female boxers Yarkor Chavez of Ghana against Lolita Muzeya from Zambia  as well as sensational talented Mohammed Aryeetey against Albert Commey. John Laryea aka Expensive Boxer will clash with gym mate and veteran George Krampa also known as Grandpa. Joseph Oto will face Annan Tackie

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Owner of English Premiership side Chelsea, Roman Abramovic, has handed over to the trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and and care of the club, the club has announced in a statement on Saturday.

The move by Abramovic comes as a response to his country Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and he has described his decision as one which is born out of ‘the Club’s best interest’ which he has at heart. Abramovic, 55, will however, continue as the owner of Chelsea, but has distanced himself from the day to day activities of the club, probably with the intentions of maintaining the clean image of the club in the eyes of the international community.

“I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.

“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans”, a club statement on Saturday read.

Abramovic who ranked 50th richest man in the world in 2010 according to Forbes rankings, is a key Russian personality and one of the country’s richest personalities. Chelsea’s statement reflected on Abramovic’s 20 years of staying on with the club as its owner, and what his ideas have been.

“During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities”, the statement added.

Chelsea have won every trophy there is to be won under the ownership of Russia’s Abramovic, having won Champions League twice, five times of both the Premier League and FA Cup , the Europa League on two occasions and the League Cup three times. They won the Uefa Super Cup back in August last year, and won their first ever Club World Cup just recently to complete the haul.

The situation between Russia and Ukraine currently, though a political one, has had and continue to have a hug negative effect on football and sports at large, and it’s a matter of time to see how much it may affect the fate of Chelsea as a football club.

Ghanaian table tennis star, Courage Nanevie, continues to excel in the game in the United States (US) after he brushed aside strong competition to win the Mini Pedal Championship in Westchester last Sunday.

Even though the ping pong star was not new to winning monthly medals at the Westchester Table Tennis Centre where he was undergoing a coaching course, he said this victory was so significant in his career since it was his first major achievement since the outbreak of COVID 19.

An elated Nanevie told the Daily Graphic yesterday that he worked so hard for his latest victory and so it did not come to him as surprise despite coming against some of the finest players in the game, including Ali Ammar, whom he defeated in the final last Sunday.

Unearthing talents

The Ghanaian star said he was motivated and committed to his project of unearthing talents which he expected to continue when he returned to the country from his Westchester base.

According to Nanevie, he wanted to impart some of the skill he developed at the US on some talented players in Ghana through the Team Courage Championship which, he said, was his way of giving back to society.

He explained that in order for the country to secure the gains made in the sport, there was the need for early identification of the future talents to develop into world-class players who could fill the gap that would be created when the current generation faded out.

“It’s my dream to take table tennis to the next level and to repay back what I have received by using the Team Courage Championship to develop talents for the future generation by producing world-class players,” he said.

Sponsorship package

The armed forces player further noted that players who would be fortunate to be selected would be given a personal sponsorship package that would include balls, bat and other financial benefits while coaches from the player’s club would undergo some grooming to sharpen their skills.

Credit: Graphic Sports

Ghana-Nigeria: Goals will flow against Ghana if you pair these two players upfront – Ex Super Eagles AFCON medalist Agustine Eguavoen, advocates

Interim Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Agustine Eguavoen has announced a squad list of 25 players for the two legged 2022 World Cup playoff against Ghana.

The Super Eagles will travel first to Ghana to face the Black Stars at the Cape Coast sports stadium on Friday, 25th March before hosting the four times African Champions in Abuja.

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), organizers of the President’s Cup have met President Nana Akufo Addo  at the Jubilee House on Thursday evening to presented the trophy  and invite him to the game.

The big game between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko will come up this evening at the Ohene Gyan Stadium in Accra at 18:00GMT.

President Akufo Addo met the team led by GHALCA Chairman, Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo and other officials.

The two clubs were represented at the Jubilee House by Hearts of Oak Board member, Alhaji Akambi and Kotoko CEO, Nana Yaw Amponsah.

The President was supported by  the Sports Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif and they engaged in lengthy conversation with the organisers.

Nana Akuffo Addo, an Asante Kotoko fan called for real organization of the Premier League to be attractive to sponsors and football fans.

He promised to be present to watch the game today.

Rates for the match are 100ghc for Upper VIP, 70ghc for Lower VIP, 50ghc for Center Line and 20ghc for Popular Stand.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

 …On Track to Deliver on USD1Billion Commitment

Accra 3rd March 2022.MTN Ghana is on track to fulfill its planned spend of USD 1 billion on Network Infrastructure and Information Systems (NIIS) by 2025. This planned expenditure will go a long way to support the Digital Ghana agenda and put the country at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation.

CEO of MTN Ghana Selorm Adadevoh stated, “We successfully implemented our investment plans, with a total CAPEX of GHS1,485million (GHS1.5Billion) last year, supporting infrastructure modernization, expansion of 4G coverage and improvements to quality of service. To achieve this, we rolled out 131 2G, 120 3G and 1,446 4G sites and modernized 2,121 existing 4G sites enhancing capacity and improved customer experience. We also extended 4G network and data services to additional 1.7 million people, deepening the digital agenda of Ghana”.

“In 2022, MTN will continue with its capacity enhancement projects with the aim of ensuring that all cell sites are upgraded to 4G capacity.  The upgrades are being done alongside other commitments in support of ICT development initiatives such as the provision of an ICT Hub and the establishment of West Africa’s first Innovation City in Ghana”.

“We see Ghana as the most strategically placed country to be a digital hub in the region, exporting skills and services to diversify and accelerate economic growth. This makes technology leadership in the region an imperative for Ghanaian SMEs to be relevant in an AFCFTA era”, he remarked.

To become a digital economy requires considerable and consistent investment in technology and innovation and it is on this score that MTN is committing to spend over US$1 billion in Network Infrastructure and Information Systems over the next five years.

MTN’s Ambition 2025 is anchored on the belief that everyone deserves a modern connected life. This will rest on a scale connectivity and infrastructure business, making use of both mobile and fixed access networks across the consumer, enterprise and wholesale segments.

Dan Ameti who stands at a height of 6.4 is warming up to become Ghana's next super star in Basketball.

With a wingspan of 6.7, he has marvelous features for the game and he is currently being monitored by some clubs in the USA, Europe Asia and Africa.

For information on his educational status, he completed JUST at St. George's international and wants to further while playing the game he loves most.

Daniel Ameti speaks English and his local language. He is single and looking forward to make it as an international star.

Blessed with leadership qualities and fine skills, he wants to prove that Ghana has talent in not only boxing and football or athletics, but in Basketball.

He wants to compete for Ghana at the upcoming African Games 2023 and called on the Games scouts to monitor him well and closely because he is coming out in a bang to display his own.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is overly excited with the massive feedback its has received and continue to receive from boxing stakeholders after the official launching of the first night of the high anticipated Ghana Professional Boxing League(GPBL)in Ghana at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday February 19th, 2022 by Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif.

The GBA obtained valuable feedback just after a night of exciting boxing bouts graced by high personalities such as the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, MP for Ododiodoo constituency and former Youth and Sports Minister, Lawyer Peter Zwennes, former GBA President, Mr. Maxwell Takyie, CEO of Max Television and Imax Media Boxing Promotions and many other dignitaries.

The first night of exhibition of excellent boxing artistry by Juvenile, Amateur and Professional boxers was spiced up by irresistible entertainment by some popular music artists.

The GBA received feedback from some personalities who attended the event and are part of the massive crowd who filled the stands at Bukom Boxing Arena and those who watched it live on Max TV.

The Group Director of Imax Media Group, Fadi Fatal and his team members were commended for their remarkable engagement with the GBA that led to an effective planning, preparation organizarion, media relations and live coverage of the event.

The relationship between current Youth and Sports Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif and his predecessor, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye brought to the fore the need to appreciate ourselves regardless of our backgrounds and political diversity for the sake of Ghana and communal harmony.

The current GBA President, Abraham Kotei Neequaye also displayed a high sense of respect and integrity to the former GBA President, Peter Zwennes when he handed the microphone to his predecessor to deliver the welcome address.

Members of the Boxing fraternity expressed their profound gratitude to the two personalities for their maturity and the exhibition of good leadership for boxing in Ghana.

According to one of the renowned boxing stakeholder in Ghana, after a self reflection of such a successful night of boxing, he was made to realised the need to take a radical approach to reaching our goals in boxing.

He concluded by saying that both Abraham Kotei Neequaye and Peter Zwennes have created a leadership definition through collaborative efforts and energised all members of the Boxing fraternity to work towards a shared mission, vision and purpose.

The President of Ghana Boxing Authority, Abraham Kotei Neequaye expressed his joy and gratitude to all those who forwarded their feedback via phone calls, text messages and emails. ”Feedback on the first night of boxing league has been my major objective before, during and after the event because feedback is the tool that can help the GBA and its partners to evaluate themselves and their work, and how others perceived them”-he said.

The GBA President emphatically indicated that Ghana boxing will grow to the highest pinnacle with credible and dedicated boxers who will become world champions in no time, if stakeholders collaborate with the GBA and provide feedback underpinned by logical and constructive criticisms, and focusing on the work and actions of the GBA towards a productive venture for the benefit of all.

The best form of criticism to the GBA is to approach the leadership one on one rather than using certain channels and means to churn out issues that may tarnish the image and brand of the sport to the disadvantage of all.

The inflow of feedback for the first night of the boxing league would change certain behaviours of some key stakeholders including the GBA and the main Promoter, Imax Media Group Boxing Promotions and allow them to receive realistic perspectives on their concept, content, production, delivery and actions.

The feedbacks received by the GBA came under the spheres of. idea, opinion, comment, response, advice, criticism, suggestion and recommendation. The GBA intends to use these variables of feedback as tools for their observations, evaluation and interpretation of their major works and actions.

It is important to acknowledge the selfless and magnanimous role been played by Imax Media Group Boxing Promotions and Max TV(the official TV station for the Pro boxing league ).

Boxing Promoters across the globe are noted for coming into boxing for commercial and business purposes. However, with Imax Media Group Boxing Promotions as a starter, the situation is rather focused on development, rebranding and repositioning of boxing via a league system before material and financial benefits could be seen as the priority.

The huge amount of money($1.7 million)been injected into the boxing league goes to cater for the renting of the Boxing Arena, expensive live TV coverages, promotions on Max TV and Max FM, Boxers Purse, allowance for Ring Officials(Referees, Judges,

Bellman, Match Commissioner, Ring Announcer, Card Girls, Clark of Scale),ringside physicians, Ring Marshalls, Security, Boxing Ring, Lightening System, Salary for their staff, to mention but a few. And so, it’s imperative to commend Imax Media Group Ltd for their commitment to worked hand in hand with the GBA and help our boxers to shape their ambitions and talents.

Majority of boxing promoters we have in Ghana also double as boxing managers of some boxers they are nurturing and grooming for business purposes. Imax is not managing a single boxer among the numerous boxers registered for the boxing league.

The most important thing for Imax Media Group Ltd is to continue to receive support from potential sponsors and corporate Ghana to help them sustain their efforts in this extraordinary and audacious sports venture .

Information available to the GBA has it that Juvenile and Amateur Boxers are very eager and enthusiastic to be introduced into the undercards of the boxing league for them to be seen live on TV and help them to shape their talents as prospective professional boxers.

The second week of the Pro boxing league for this coming Saturday 5th March, at Bukom Boxing Arena promises to be very uncompromising because of the caliber of boxers been paraded and the national title fight scheduled on the bill.

GBA COMMUNICATIONS