Team Awinongya who are touring Ghana made their way to the Bronx Boxing Gym at James Town in Accra on Thursday.

They interacted with boxers, coaches and fans of the Gym, and took pictures inside and outside, on the street between Usher Town and James Town.

Indeed they were happy to be at Bukom, the Mecca of Boxing in Africa.

They also met legendary boxing administrator Mr. Yoofi Boham was a key team member of Africa's only Hall of Fame personality team Professor Azumah Nelson and manager for arguably Ghana's finest boxing talent and former WBO Bantamweight World Champion Alfred Kotey.

He was also an advisor to Team Wasiru (Gyata Bi).

Boham revealed tipping Awinongya for great achievement.

"I have tipped this young boy for greater achievements when he becomes a professional boxer"

"I have followed him on social media and I must say he has started well and I think I know him too well even though this is our first time of meeting. He must stay focused and keep challenging himself that is the only way he can keep performing" he said.

“I'm blessed to meet all these legends of Ghana boxing especially Mr. Boham who has been a part of Azumah Nelson's success and that of Alfred Kotey” replied Awinongya Senior.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The medals for The World Games 2022 have been unveiled during a celebratory event in Alabama ©IWGA

The medals for The World Games 2022 have been unveiled during a celebratory event in Birmingham, Alabama today, which featured a replica of a traditional medal presentation.

In the replica ceremony, three Olympic and Paralympic athletes with connections to the Alabama area stepped on to a podium at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame to receive the medals from International World Games Association Honorary Life President Ron Froehlich.

Prior to the replica ceremony, the crowd in attendance watched a video montage featuring sports that are part of The World Games 2022 programme.

Proceedings took place under the theme of Step Up, with the first honorary recipient of the medals Jennifer Chandler, who won gold in the women’s three metres springboard diving at the Montreal 1976 Olympics.

Mark Everett, who competed in three Olympic Games in track and field was the second medal recipient, while Bryan Kirkland, a member of the US team that won golds in wheelchair rugby at the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Paralympics was the third medal recipient.

"Just as athletes from around the world will soon step up to seize their moment of glory, this is Birmingham’s moment to step up on the global stage," said World Games 2022 chief executive Nick Sellers.

"Now that the Olympics are over, we are the world’s next, big international sports competition.

"We are honoured and proud to bring the world here for the first international multi-sport event with full venues since the pandemic.

"The world is clamouring to reconnect and we can’t wait to witness history as amazing athletes compete for these medals."

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin added: "These medals will serve as an international symbol of excellence in athleticism and sportsmanship.

"As the Mayor of Birmingham, hosting The World Games in our great city is our medal of honour.

"There will be many winners during the Games and Birmingham is certainly one of them."

The World Games 2022 is scheduled to take place in Birmingham, Alabama from July 7 to 17.

More than 600 medals are set to be handed out, with an estimated 3,600 athletes expected to compete across more than 30 sports.

By Neil Shefferd 

The year's World Team Table Tennis Championships in Chengdu have been delayed by almost six months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event, which had been due to take place in April, will now not start until September 30, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has announced.

COVID-19 concerns have been blamed for the delay, which follows talks between the ITTF, Chinese Table Tennis Association and authorities in Chengdu.

China's borders have largely remained shut because of the pandemic, with the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games almost unique in being an international sporting event hosted by China in 2022.

September 30 to October 9 is the new window given for the World Team Table Tennis Championships.

The event is set to be the first World Team Table Tennis Championships to be held since 2018 after the cancellation of the 2020 edition in Busan due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Busan is instead scheduled to stage the tournament in 2024.

The ITTF has promised it will work to ensure players can "compete in the best and safest conditions" in Chengdu.

It previously announced that the tournament would be subject to a "closed-loop management in a bubble format", similar to the system in place at Beijing 2022.

The World Team Table Tennis Championships is not the only major sport event due to take place in Chengdu this year.

The International University Sports Federation's flagship Summer World University Games remain scheduled to take place from June 26 to July 7, although this could yet be impacted by the pandemic.

Chengdu 2021, as it is known, has already been delayed by 12 months because of the global health crisis.

By Ali Iveson 

IOC President Thomas Bach used speeches at the Beijing 2022 Opening and Closing Ceremonies to call for authorities to "give peace a chance" ©Getty Images

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued a statement saying it strongly condemns the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian Government.

The Olympic Truce started seven days before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and runs until seven days after the conclusion of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics - March 20.

It calls on countries to build a "peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal."

The Olympic Truce is inspired by the "Ekecheiria", an action which called for a halt to fighting during the Olympic Games of antiquity.

Russian forces today launched a military assault on Ukraine with reports of missile strikes and explosions near to major cities.

The Beijing 2022 Olympic Truce was unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December.

The IOC said it was "deeply concerned" about the safety of the Olympic community in Ukraine, and says a task force has been established to closely monitor the situation and to coordinate humanitarian assistance to members of the Olympic community in the country.

During a speech at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony IOC President Thomas Bach called on political authorities to "observe your commitment to this Olympic Truce and give peace a chance."

He reiterated this message during the Closing Ceremony when he asked political leaders "to be inspired" by the "example of solidarity and peace" set by the Olympic athletes.

Russia has breached Olympic Truces previously, as in 2008 troops from Russia and Georgia clashed in disputed territory South Ossetia on the day of the Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony, while in 2014 Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine during a military operation that lasted during the Sochi 2014 Olympics and Paralympics.

There are reports that the International Paralympic Committee is in dialogue with the Russian and Ukrainian Paralympic Committees, with the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics set to begin on March 4.

By Neil Shefferd 

Legendary boxing administrator Mr. Yoofi Boham, who was a key Team member of Africa's only Hall of Fame personality, Professor Azumah Nelson and manager of arguably Ghana's finest boxing talent and former WBO Bantamweight World Champion Alfred Kotey has praised young boxer, Awinongya Junior and tipped him for greater achievements.

Boham who was also an advisor to Team Wasiru (Gyata Bi) said the 14 year old rising star is in good hands led by his daddy and he must just not be complecent, but focus on his dream targets, and he will succeed

"I have tipped this young boy for greater achievements when he becomes a professional boxer" he said.

"I have followed him on social media and I must say he has started well and I think I know him too well even though this is our first time of meeting. He must stay focused and keep challenging himself that is the only way he can keep performing" Boham added.

“I'm blessed to meet all these legends of Ghana boxing especially Mr. Boham who has been a part of Azumah Nelson's success and that of Alfred Kotey” replied Awinongya Senior.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Director General of the National Sports authority, (NSA) Prof Peter Twumasi has sent best wishes to all Regional Cross-Country teams

In the message, he said “Good morning to you all, Honourable Sector Minister, Governing Board, Management Members and Regional Directors, and partners from GAA and African Game 2023LOC, and the Athletes and Coaches”.

“I want to thank all of you for the enormous sacrifices you have made and continue to offer to prepare our teams from all 16 regions, and now transporting all of them to the 4th edition of National Cross Country (in recent times since 2019) to Akyem/Akim Oda in the Eastern Region” he expressed.

“Despite our limited financial resources, we are proud of ourselves for using little to generate huge and long-lasting results. I'm proud of you all, my Generals. Our host Regional Coordinating Council and Traditional Leaders have been superb so far. Thank you. I'm grateful to the MEDIA for promoting this event widely”.

“I wish you all pleasant journeys to the host city, Akim Oda, and may God's blessings of victories remain with your teams, and His absolute protection be yours, in your coming ins and going outs” he added.

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi, officially launched the event dubbed, “Running towards Accra 2023 African Games”.

He unveiled the track suits for all the 16 regions and their colours plus the running kits.

This year’s prize packages would be presented by the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia at the presidency after the Akim Oda event.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), has appointed the President of the National Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen to serve as a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2023 African Games to be staged in Ghana.

Ghana after gaining rights to host the 13th edition of the African Games, has set up the Local Organising Committee to help in organising a successful continental Games.

A statement issued and signed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Mustapha Ussif stated “It is the expectation of the Ministry that you will accept the appointment to serve and to bring your wealth of experience, depth of knowledge and your professional acumen to bear on the work of the LOC for the successful organization of the African Games, Ghana 2023.

“As you are no doubt aware, Ghana won the rights to host and organise the 13th African Games in 2023 at the 3rd Specialised Technical Committee for Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS) Meeting in Algiers, Algeria on Thursday, October 25, 201.

This has necessitated the need to constitute a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to work on translating the successful Bid to hosting and organising a successful Africa Games, laying the foundation for the establishment of the University of Sport for Development as well as initiating the various actions required for setting up at the selected Co-Host Cities of Accra and Kumasi”.

The statement further explained that, the Ministry would be looking forward to a successful event.

Mr. Deen, who doubles as the President of Africa Paralympic Committee to respond to the appointment as soon as possible to work together with the LOC to reposition Ghana Sports globally.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports finally wished the newly appointed member of the LOC well in his assignment.

The FINA Reform Committee met in London for its first in-person meeting in 2022 to continue furthering progress in the vital areas of governance, communication, marketing, events, digital transformation, safeguarding, medical, gender equity and sport development. The two-day meeting was held at the offices of the British Olympic Association.

Among the key items on the agenda were an update on the independent Aquatics Integrity Unit and the development of governance practices. During the FINA Extraordinary Congress last December in Abu Dhabi, FINA National Federations voted to approve the recommendations put forward by the FINA Reform Committee. The FINA Reform Committee also discussed establishing more consistency in the global events calendar for all aquatics disciplines.

“We are delighted to have been able to hold our first Reform Committee meeting of 2022 in person. There were many important issues we discussed, from the independent Aquatics Integrity Unit to proposed amendments to the FINA Constitution which will ensure that our future success will be built to last,” FINA Reform Committee Member Farida Iddriss (GHA) said. “We would like to thank the British Olympic Association for hosting the FINA Reform Committee at its offices. With FINA tracing its roots as an International Federation to London during the 1908 Olympic Games, the meeting location was ideal for discussions around the future of our sports.”

While in the UK, FINA also visited the state-of-the-art Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which will host the swimming and diving events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

President of Women In Sports Association WISA, Madam Gloria Commodore today visited the office of the LOC for the 2023 African Games.

She was accompanied by her media director, Sammy Heywood Okine and they interacted with the Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare and his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah as well as Olympian Reks Brobbey, who is deputy chief operating officer.

Madam Commodore said WISA is ready to support the LOC in sensitizing Ghanaians, especially females to either take part in the Games or contribute by supporting the athletes.

She expressed that WISA will definitely reward female athletes who shine for Ghana at the 13^th African Games.

She later met the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Professor Peter Twumasi who fulfilled a promise to support the last WISA Awards at the Accra Sports Stadium.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Birim Central Municipal’s capital, Akim Oda, in the Eastern Region will be hosting the 4th edition of the 2022 National Cross-Country race this weekend, Saturday 26th February, 2022.

This year’s event is under the theme, ‘Running Towards the 13th African Games, Accra 2023’ under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports.

The event is aimed at unearthing and grooming athletes for the upcoming 13th African Games which will be hosted in Ghana next year.

Athletes from all the 16 Regions of Ghana are to compete for the ultimate prize.

Professor Peter Twumasi, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) advised Ghanaians to contribute to sports by participating or supporting. He urged the media to promote the Cross Country as well as other events related to the 13^th African Games to be hosted in Accra.

According to the Eastern Region’s Public Relations Officer for National Sports Authority, Mrs Priscilla Oduro Antwi, all citizens of Akyem Oda and the entire Eastern Region must to come together in unity so that they can win together.

She told the media, the Eastern Regional athletes are poised to lead in the host and win agenda and hence this agenda would be materialized if we all throw our support behind the team. She stated that hosting and winning together is more glamorous.

“Love always fosters unity so let’s unite and support our own in this event,” she said.

Mrs. Princila Oduro Antwi stressed that as the team wish to host and win, the business community should bare in mind that, they are not only winning in the game but also hosting is also an opportunity for business activities to cash in some revenue in and around the Municipality so she urged the inhabitants to take advantage of this event and win in all ways.

The event will be graced by dignitaries like the Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. Bawumia, the Sports Minister, Hon. Mustapha Yussif and others.

From Sammy Heywood Okine