2 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals marks Team Ghana’s Best Future Performance at the Badminton African Mixed Team Championships, recently.

The Ghana Badminton Team, the Golden Shuttlers, put out a golden spirited performance in the Air Badminton Event, winning 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals at the recently held 2021 African Mixed Team Event- which was a 2022 Commonwealth Games qualifying event.

After Eight Days of Badminton Sport and Culture, the event ended in the heart of Kampala, from the October 20-29, 2021, with Team Ghana having well and truly raised the bar – not only in result impressiveness, but played an outstanding game – with full strength and gallant performance facts which made all the difference for team Ghana

The participation of the championship draws participation from Africa’s best badminton and commonwealth countries. They are Uganda (hosts), Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Madagascar, Cameroon, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Benin, Botswana, Mauritius, and Reunion.

The Event was an ambitious development project from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) designed to create opportunities for people of all ages and ability to play badminton on hard, grass and sand surfaces in parks, gardens, streets, playgrounds, and beaches around the world.

Given the diverse range of landscapes and stunning scenery offered across Africa, the alternative version of the game is an exciting opportunity for players to get involved and enjoy the multiple health and social benefits of badminton.

The fascinating sporting competition, and excellent performance in the mix team Individual events, where second round results was also achieved for all five events Ghana took part in- having won the hearts, admiration, and accolades of all who were present in the MTN Lugogo Arena.

Each day of the competition produced moments of glory and ecstasy that captured the imagination of the spectators with local and international media alike. Some moments, though, stood out from the rest.

During the immensely popular match between Ghana and Uganda, there was a moment on the ice — and not in the kiss and cry assembly point area of the Hall — that evoked genuine emotions of the sport.

Going into the event as the third ranked mix team event champion in Africa, the event provided a benchmark to compare as a tool for comparison to other African countries of relative program strength; it is important politically in sports for Ghana Badminton players to remain and receive key international competitions with its world ranking points, and an excellent high-level opportunity and development experience for our national athletes, technical officials, and technical team from a competitive and Multi-Sport Games perspective and largely also provided an opportunity for qualification for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, whilst preparing our high-level technical officials to officiate at the 2023 African Games.

“With the final qualifying competition to be held in February 2022, Team Ghana is positioned in qualifying for the 2022 Commonwealth Games- a major achievement by any African country in twenty-one years. Our team’s excellent performance gives success credence towards our 2024 High Performance Plan and with appreciation from MOYS, NSA stakeholders and partners, we are excited this vision is growing in leaps” said Yeboah Evans-President, Ghana Badminton.

The Closing Ceremony of the Competition captured the spirit perfectly too. Attended by Uganda Sports officials, Ambassadors of teams and Uganda Badminton Officials, the Ceremony ended with a demonstration of the best moments of the games: the joy of victories, the agony of a learning loss, beautiful amalgamation of music, dance, culture, and the nations’ parade- a warm welcome to everyone by the locals and participants from the 16 countries.

Team Ghana was welcome on arrival over the weekend by Board members and some government officials with beaming smiles having been elated in podium success on achievement at the 2021 African Championships at Kampala, Uganda.

About Ghana Badminton Association-www.ghanabadminton.org

We are Ghana Badminton, the Governing Body of Badminton in Ghana formed in 1962 and affiliated with the Badminton Confederation of Africa, International Olympic Committee, and International Paralympic Committee through the Badminton World Federation

The unique qualities of badminton make it accessible and enjoyable for anyone and everyone. And we work collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to provide traditional and innovative opportunities for all to be involved; from Basic, Senior High and Tertiary School programs to seniors and Veterans social badminton, from School, community, and regional clubs and our national class coaching development to the delivery of our major events.

With Olympic success at the heart of our ambitions, we are investing our knowledge and expertise in rebuilding build a quality future for our sport by strengthening and developing the domestic game and developing talent to achieve success on the international stage, inspiring the next generation of players and local fans, and corporate community.

With thousands of Ghanaians playing every year, badminton is looking forward to being the nation’s favourite racket sport by 2022. We want to inspire everyone to play more, support louder and love badminton, from this generation to the next as the world’s fastest exercise and racket sport.

Get Involved -www.ghanabadminton.org

Emmanuel Commey And Eva Adom-Amankwah Share Honours At 2021 Homowo Challenge Open

Reigning best table tennis player, Emmanuel Commey beat former national top seed, Derek Abrefa, in a five-set thriller to win the 2021 Homowo Tennis Challenge Championship held at the Hathiramani Sports Hall of the Accra Stadium last Saturday.

The two finalists were very confident of putting up a great show after Abrefa has beaten Bernard Joe Sam in another five-setter, and Commey taken care of Ernest Mawutor 3-1in a hot battle.

The two officers of the Ghana Immigration Service dished our a classic game, as Commey prevailed in the fifth set to win the clash 3-2 for a deserved victory to claim the winner's trophy and cash prize of GH¢2,400.

The event dubbed: 'Kpalongo Spins and Smashes' to commemorate the annual Ga Homowo festival, was organised by the Ghana Table Tennis Association(GTTA) with sponsorship from Stanbic Bank, KFC and other corporate partners like the Graphic Sports.

The challenge attracted 280 participants, including 48 female players, comprising experience players and rising stars like 13-year-old prodigy, Emmanuella Yaa Kyere, whose skills and masterful display excited the spectators in a packed hall, including onetime African table tennis queen, Ethel Jacks, SWAG President, Mr Kwabena Yeboah, and GTTA President, Mr Mawuko Afadzinu.

The women's final was also delightful to watch as young Eva Adom-Amankwah of the Ghana Army defeated experienced Cynthia Kwabi of Ghana Immigration Service 3-0.

Eva was presented the winner’s trophy and GH¢2,400 by three-time African champion, Ethel Jacks.

Second placed, Abrefa and Cynthia each went home with GH¢1,200, while Sam and Mawutor got GH¢600 for finishing joint-third in the men's competition.

Rising star Matilda Foli of the Volta Region finished third ahead of fourth-placed Bernice Borquaye of the Ghana Navy, each of whom went home with GH¢600.

The acting Technical Director of the GTTA, Mr Charles Tachie-Menson, said the tournament formed part of the preparations for the top eight national male and female players in the country

GTTA President Mr Afadzinu, who was happy at the class of play, announced that eight players would represent Ghana at the West African Championship in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 1-4.

He admonished the players to fly high Ghana's flag in Lagos and bring back the smiles and "give people a reason to believe in the potential of table tennis in Ghana.

According to Afadzinu, the GTTA would organise the annual D.G. Hathiramani tournament, the biggest event on the sport's calendar before the the year ends.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Sheriff Tiraspol midfielder Edmund Addo has been called in the Ghana squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.

The 21-year-old, who has taken Europe by storm, has been rewarded with an invitation following his breathtaking displays for the Moldovan giants.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac held discussions with the player during a UEFA Champions League match involving his side and Inter Milan at the San Siro last month.

Sheriff Tiraspol has confirmed an invitation for their talented midfielder.

Ghana must beat Ethiopia and South Africa to qualify for the Africa World Cup playoffs and stand any realistic chance of qualifying to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The four-time African champions must overcome Ethiopia in South Africa and South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Group leaders Bafana Bafana will take on Zimbabwe at FNB Stadium on 11 November 2021 and three days later travel to Ghana for the match against the Black Stars on 14 November.

Young sports journalist, Elizabeth Alhassan who took part in the Frytol Women's 5K Run has described the event as exciting and inspiring.

She said it is also a good platform for meeting people who share sporting and fitness ideas.

She commended the organisers, Actively Sports and the sponsors.

“Infact it is my best sports programme this year. I took part in running and I was among the finishers. I think such initiatives deserve support from corporate Ghana” she expressed.

National Star, Grace Obuor won the Frytol Women's 5K Run held on Saturday October 30th at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Doris Baka took the second position, while Princess Torgbor placed third. Josephine Mawuli was fourth and Blessing Adjetey was fifth.

There were special prizes for the oldest and youngest participants, as well as the best dressed runner.

Event director, Mrs. Catherine Morton  said “This year for the first time we had both a virtual and live event for the @frytoloilghana women’s 5k event.  This was our first attempt at a hybrid event and we had so much fun. Thank you to all the ladies who participated both virtually and in person”.

Present were President of Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) Mrs. Joyce Mahama, Ambassador Mrs. Ekua Zara Awonana Ghartey-Tsagli and Queen Ella, the first female rapper to record in Ghana. She jammed the venue with some of her hit songs with backing from Spency Diva, Cheetah Dancers.

The  Frytol Women’s 5K Run is to support the mental health charity project of Activly Sports.

Also in attendance were the VRA Ladies Association and representatives of Women In Sports Association (WISA). 

The Frytol Women’s 5K Run is supported by Wilmar Ghana Ltd, Twellium Industrial Company Garnier, Power Malt, IPMC, Liv It and others.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), as part of its effort to lift the flag of Ghana high through table tennis is sending players to represent the country in this year’s ITTF AFRICA (WESTERN REGION) CHAMPIONSHIPS to be held in Nigeria from November 1st to 4th, 2021.

Eight players consisting of four females and four males have made the cut for the tournament. The team is a blend of both old and new players with female cadet prodigies Emmanuella Yaa Kyere and Blessing Labanti being the new faces in the female team. Experienced players Cynthia Kwabi and Eva Adom-Amankwaa augment the female team.

Juniors’ champion Ibrahim Gado Nuhu and current youth champion Godwin Alabi have gained promotion to partner Derek Abrefa and Emmanuel Commey in the male category.

Mawuko Afadzinu intimated that selection into the national team was based on ranking, discipline and drive, team mix and dynamics and talent development.

The Homomo Championship served as a dress rehearsal for the players.

They will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday 31st October 2021.

Salford Red Devils are delighted to announce a long-term partnership with Rugby League Federation Ghana.

The main focus of this linkup is to support the development of rugby league in Ghana, by providing coach and player development programmes whilst supporting the marketing and promotion of the sport in the country.

The ‘Salford Red Devils Ghana National Rugby League Development Centre’ will be the main feature of this partnership, where three development coaches will be funded by the Club. The club will also provide mentoring and technical advice to coaches as well as sharing best practice on training, strength and conditioning programmes, nutrition advice and more.

The three development coaches we will be funding will be invited to Salford in mid 2022 to experience an elite rugby league environment. They will work with coaching staff, observe training sessions, look at the club’s systems and visit our community clubs and schools to be fully immersed in the clubs’ environment.  Salford Red Devils staff will then visit Ghana later in 2022, to deliver training sessions, work with players and staff and support the development work.

The Club will be observing the players developing in the programmes in Ghana, with opportunities to join our club’s player pathway scheme where appropriate.

Salford Red Devils Director, Paul Trainor, added: “We are delighted to launch this partnership supporting the development of Rugby League in Ghana. There is already great work going on in Ghana from Remond, Andy, Jafaru and the rest of the RLFG committee, with increasing numbers playing the game in established competitions, national media coverage together with school and community programmes. We look forward to working with RLFG to continue to raise the profile of Rugby League across Ghana, as well as contributing to the success of the national team.”

As mentioned above, we will be providing a joint branded range of kit for players and staff over in Ghana designed by our kit suppliers, VX3. Replica kit will also be sent over to RLFG staff to distribute in the communities.

Remond Safi, MEA Regional Director, said: “This partnership will pave way to a new era in RLFG and Africa, the partnership will embrace a rugby league culture in Ghana capturing the raw talent of the next generation.

The relationship will add value to the foundation of the sport in Africa and open opportunities for players, coaching/match officials and administrative pathways.

Salford Red Devils embarking on this unique partnership with Ghana is setting a blueprint for the others to follow with an ambition of being innovative within, bringing new audience and developing new experiences for fans and the sport.”

Andy Gilvary, Ghana National Team Coach, commented: “The significance of this partnership has come at exactly the right time for Ghana. With more players, volunteers, clubs, and supporters than ever before, Salford will be able to steer the next generation of rugby league enthusiast in the country.

“The hope is, we will see Ghanaian players representing Salford in the Super League at some point in the future along with the club identity being embedded across the nation. Ghana remains committed to being the number one rugby league playing nation in Africa and we know Salford will help us to get there.”

Jafaru Mustapha, RLFG General Manager, added: “Rugby League Federation Ghana, our players, staff and community cannot wait to get started with the Red Devils. We look forward to welcoming them to Accra and showing Salford our progress since 2012, with next year being our 10th year in the game, we are ready to learn all we can from the club and make big strides in 2022.”

Salford Red Devils Executive Chairman, Paul King, said: “Ghana has a tremendous history of producing world class athletes across many sporting arenas, the opportunity to be able to tap into this incredible talent pool whilst also introducing the Salford brand to over 30 million new pairs of eyes is tremendously exciting.

We are committing time, energy, and resources to this partnership to ensure its success over a prolonged period and are delighted to lead the way with the first arrangement of its type on the African continent.”

Source - www.salfordreddevils.net

In a powerful video produced with support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), athletes who participated at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 are calling on world leaders to deliver on climate action. The call comes as world governments and business and civil society representatives gather at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), starting this week in Glasgow, Great Britain.

Initiated by Hannah Mills, MBE, double Olympic champion in sailing and the most decorated female British sailor of all time, and British Olympic rower Melissa Wilson, the video features more than 50 Olympians and Paralympians from all corners of the world.

These include three-time Olympic medallist Pau Gasol (basketball, Spain), who is also a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission; double Olympic champion and marathon world record-holder Eliud Kipchoge (athletics, Kenya); Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Tom Daley (diving, Great Britain); double Olympic champion Andy Murray (tennis, Great Britain); Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Emma Twigg (rowing, New Zealand); Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft MBE (wheelchair racing, Great Britain); Tokyo 2020 Paralympian Koyo Iwabuchi (table tennis, Japan); Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Martine Grael (sailing, Brazil); and many others.

The athletes recall the challenges and obstacles they overcame as they chased excellence at Tokyo 2020, and call on the world’s leaders to do the same as they gather at the “Olympics of climate summits” to decide on the global response to the climate crisis.

“The Olympic dream is all about being the best you can – and that doesn’t just mean competing or winning medals; it means being a good global citizen. I feel that we have a responsibility to use our platforms to highlight the need for all of us to live and operate in a more responsible manner,” said Mills.

In 2019 – also supported by the IOC – Mills launched the Big Plastic Pledge, an athlete-driven movement to eliminate the use of single-use plastic within and beyond sport. She believes that if the entire sporting community change their habits, and make their voices heard, the ripple effect can create a global tidal wave of change.

“Our environmental movement is fortunate to have the support of the IOC,” says Mills. “It is a clear demonstration of their commitment to building a better world through sport. However, sport is just one part of a much greater global picture. We are counting on world leaders to take accelerated climate action at COP26.”

“The IOC is delighted to support this initiative, and help Olympic athletes use their powerful voices to create a more sustainable future for everyone,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced, and the IOC is proud to be leading the Olympic Movement’s response to this crisis. Our recent commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and our support for this initiative are part of this effort. Sport has the power to make the world a better place, and today we have an opportunity to use this power in the face of climate change.”

Sustainability is a key pillar of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, the strategic roadmap of the Olympic Movement. The IOC is working to ensure that sustainability principles are embedded across its activities as an organisation, as the owner of the Olympic Games and as the leader of the Olympic Movement. As part of this effort, the IOC works with athletes to leverage their inspirational power to promote sustainability through sport.

In response to the growing climate crisis, the IOC, which is already carbon neutral, has pledged to be climate positive from 2024. This means that it will be removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.

This will be achieved by reducing the IOC’s direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2024, and by 50 per cent by 2030; compensating the remaining emissions through the Olympic Forest project; and using its influence to encourage the broader Olympic Movement to take action against climate change.

From 2030 onwards, the IOC will require all Olympic Games to be climate positive. Inspired by this requirement, Paris 2024 is already working on staging climate-positive Olympic Games in 2024.

In 2018, working with UN Climate Change, the IOC helped develop the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, which seeks to drive climate action across the sports world. More than 270 sports organisations have signed up to it so far, including the IOC itself. The IOC has taken a leadership role in the implementation of the Framework.

President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah has congratulated Mr. Sampson Deen on his election as President of the African Paralympic Committee (APC).

According to Ben Nunoo Mensah, Deen is the first Ghanaian to attain such high office, and wish to thank all members of the Olympic/Paralympic families who represented at the Congress in Morocco.

He said Ghana presence on international bodies earns the nation much respect, and urged Sampson Deen to deliver in his term.

Mr. Deen polled 24 of the total votes cast, beating Morocco’s Hamid El Aouni who polled 15 votes. Mr Deen replaces the outgoing APC boss Leonel da Rocha Pinto who has been in charge for 13 years.

The total of 41 delegates (38 in-person and 3 voting online) comprised of Presidents and General Secretaries of National Paralympics Committees on the continent with 9 positions contested.

Senator Dr. Hayat Khatab of Egypt won the 1^st vice president position with 23 votes.  

Positions of President, Secretary-General, Vice president Treasurer and representatives from the language communities (Arabic, English , French and Portuguese ) and the Athletes representative were contested.

Deen was elected President of the National Paralympics committee in 2019 and was endorsed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports who had Deputy Sports Minister Evans Bobie Opoku in Rabat to support his bid.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Blind Sports Association of the Ghana Blind Union together with the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) is set to stage the 2021 IBSA Goalball African Championship from December 3-11 at the sports complex of the Cape Coast University.

Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya Cote DI’vore, Cameroon and Morocco will all join the host Ghana to battle for supremacy and honors is the sport of Goalball.

The competition would feature both men and women teams.

It would be the first time Ghana would be hosting the championship, since it was staged once in Algeria and twice in Egypt.

At the last African Championships in Port Said, Egypt, in 2020, the Algerian men’s and women’s teams both took gold to secure their place at the Paralympics.

The 2021 Championship would be a qualifier for the 2022 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Hangzhou China, from 6-18 July. The top three teams in each gender would secure their tickets.

Mr. Eric Kissi, President of the Ghana Blind Sports Association, and leader of the Local Organizing Committee, has reiterated that,’Ghana is committed to giving its utmost best in hosting a befitting Championship that would make Ghana and all of Africa proud. Stating that all visiting countries would be assured of peaceful and successful championships”.

The Ghana Blind Sports Association with support from the Ghana Blind Union has over the years developed Blind sports such as Goalball, Blind Football, Judo and Showdown in ten regions of Ghana.

National star Grace Obuor emerged winner of the Frytol Women's 5K Run held on Saturday October 30^th at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Doris Baka took the second position, while Princess Torgbor placed third.

Josephine Mawuli was fourth and Blessing Adjetey was fifth.

There were special prizes for the oldest and youngest participants, as well as the best dressed runner.

Mrs. Catherine Morton congratulated all the participants and winners. She thanked the sponsors and said next year's Run will be more exciting as many people are getting interested in sports.

“This year for the first time we had both a virtual and live event for the @frytoloilghana women’s 5k event.  This was our first attempt at a hybrid event and we had so much fun. Thank you to all the ladies who participated both virtually and in person” she said.

Present at the event was Mrs. Joyce Mahama, President of Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) and Queen Ella, the first female rapper to record in Ghana. She jammed the venue with some of her hit songs with backing from the Cheetah Dancers.

Women’s 5K Run Ambassador Mrs. Ekua Zara Awonana Ghartey-Tsagli was present to support the Run which is aimed towards mental health charity project of Activly Sports.

Also in attendance were the VRA Ladies Association and representatives of Women In Sports Association (WISA). 

There was a dancing competition as well as a washing contest. All participants took home medals and products from the sponsors, Wilmar Ghana Ltd, Twellium Industrial Company Garnier, Power Malt, IPMC, Liv It and others.

By Sammy Heywood Okine