CAF is of the view that at this stage, what is most important, is for the discussions and deliberations to continue taking place, in an openminded manner and with the objective of doing what is in the best interest of all Member Associations, the Confederations, football players and other stakeholders worldwide.

This is in line with the decision that was taken at the FIFA Congress of 21 May 2021 which was based on the proposal submitted by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation and which stated:

“…it is proposed that a decision is taken by the FIFA Congress for the FIFA administration to perform a feasibility study on what the impact of playing the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup every two years could be and how this could feature within revised International Match Calendars.

\It is suggested that this should be a wide-reaching analysis that not only looks at the direct impact of both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup taking place every two years, but that also considers the qualifying competitions for these tournaments and whether having fewer but more meaningful competitive national team matches could potentially address concerns regarding player welfare whilst at the same time enhancing the value and merit of such competitions.” \

CAF is deeply committed to the development, growth and success of football in Africa and the rest of the world.

We believe that the long-term growth and success of FIFA, the Member Associations and all Confederations are inextricably intertwined.

We are also confident that through discussions and deliberations we will find solutions together and do what is in the best interest of football and our stakeholders on all continents worldwide.

Dr Patrice Motsepe

CAF President

World governing body for Swimming, FINA, has invited Farida Iddriss of the Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) to be part of their Reform Committee that has been tasked to ensure reforms under the tutelage of the Kuwaiti..

President Husain Al Musallam, who was elected new FINA President, has outlined an initiative for the development of swimming.

Farida Iddris received a letter which reads: “Nearly one week ago, on the trust of the Aquatics world, I accepted to serve our community as the President of FINA. In doing so, I made a commitment that I would drive change through a series of reforms, emphasizing the need for greater transparency, inclusion and innovation in the management and development of our sport.

“This was highlighted in my campaign as a priority and on my recommendation, the FINA Bureau agreed to the formation of the FINA Reform Committee. It is now my distinct pleasure to invite you to serve the Aquatics world as a member of this Committee.”

Her meteoric rise in sports administrated has already seen her appointed on the CANA board (African Swimming Confederation).

Farida Iddris was a member of Ghana’s team that hosted the CANA Zone 2 championship in 2020 and the country have another opportunity of camping the African continent for the 14^th Junior and Senior Swimming and Open water championships.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

FINA launched last week the FINA Scholarships Programme 2021-2022, an ambitious and robust Programme to prepare and qualify a limited number of athletes for the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships 2021 in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and the 19th FINA World Championships in Fukuoka (JPN).

With a total of 140 Scholarships available for three of FINA’s aquatics disciplines - swimming, diving and open water- this edition will record the highest number of Scholarships since its creation in 2015.

The Scholarships are primarily opened to athletes from the National Federations where financial support can significantly improve the athletes’ training conditions for their participation at international competitions.

The successful FINA Scholarships Programme has largely increased the chances for athletes from smaller National Federations to qualify for major international events over the years, as was seen at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games when 62 Scholarship athletes became Olympians (57 swimmers and 5 divers).

The application process for the Scholarships Programme opened on Monday, September 6 and will remain open for 20 days, until September 26.

Source: AIPS

The inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 14TH CANA African Championships which was slated for Tuesday 14th September, 2021 has been re-scheduled to Wednesday 15th September,2021.

Time for the programme is 10am prompt at the Media Center, Accra Sports Stadium

Sources close to the Ghana Swimming Association said the continental event will come off from 11th to17th October,2021 at the Trust Sport Emporium in Accra, while the Open Water competitions will take place at Akosombo.

Miss Farida Idriss, Treasurer of the Ghana Swimming Association said 50 countries have so far confirmed participation, and about 500 swimmers from all over Africa are expected to take part in the Championship.

She expressed that Ghana is proud to host the prestigious international event, which involves junior and senior swimmers, and appealed to corporate institutions to support the Ghana Swimming Association.

She urged the media to support the Ghana Swimming Association to enable them attract sponsors.

Ghana presented two swimmers at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and they performed well within their capabilities.

Abeiku Jackson and Unilez Takyi are expected to be part of the Ghana Team at the CANA Championship.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Chief Marketing Manager of Twellium Industrial Company Limited, Mr. Ali Ajami, last Monday presented an enticing package to Ghana’s Bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, 20 year old featherweight boxer Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’ for putting Ghana’s name on the medals table at the world’s biggest sports festival.

Out of 206 nations represented in Tokyo, Japan, Ghana placed 86^th with a bronze, medal, for the first time in 29 years. It was also the first time in 49 years since boxing gave the nation a medal.

Mr. Ali Ajami hinted that the management of Twellium Industrial is impressed with the performance of Team Ghana which has yielded positive results.

According to Mr. Ajami, he and the company believe in giving, which is part of their corporate social responsibilities.

He named some of their products like Verna mineral water, Rush energy drinks, Planet soft drinks and Mcberry brand biscuits as very quality which goes with the performance of Team Ghana proving that it is worthy to sponsor the Olympic Team.

“My company is proud to be part of your success story. You have made Ghana proud and as a company, you have made us get value for the money we invested in you. We are very ready to support you in every way to succeed more. I want to use this platform to announce that all the Athletes that represented Ghana at the Olympics will receive products from Twellium for one year. This is to show our appreciation to you" he expressed.

He indicated that many people did not see the potential in Team Ghana, but they saw it and decide to sponsor the GOC, and it has brought good result.

He announced a handsome package of supply of Verna mineral water, assorted drinks and biscuits to Samuel Takyi for a year.

Some members of the team that made Ghana proud at the biggest sports festival in the world joined Takyi to receive a citation as he also presented his medal to Mr. Ali Ajami.

President of the Ghana  Olympic Committee GOC, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah who led Team Ghana to a mini celebration durbar at the Twellium factory at Medie, near Nsawam, commended the sponsor for their encouraging support.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah thanked the management of Twellium Industrial Company and noted that the athletes can do better with such support as all the whole Team Ghana did well in their respective disciplines.

The skipper of Team Ghana, Cpl. Suleimanu Tetteh presented the Olympic Touch, while Samuel Takyi also presented his Olympic Bronze medal and a symbolic Olympic Touch, after receiving a citation from Mr. Ajami.

Present at the ceremony were President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) Mr. George Lamptey and Chairman of the GOC Marketing Committee / President of Ghana Baseball, Mr. Albert K. Frimpong, coaches Ofori Asare and Vincent Akai Nettey, PRO of the GBF Mr. Jojo Ephson,  boxer Shakul Samed, and some members of the GOC Communications Team.

By GOC Communications

Unilever Ghana and One-On-One Foundation Wish SHS Students Success In Their Exams

Unilever Ghana and One-On-One Foundation have sent success wishes to all Senior High School (SHS) students who are taking part in this year’s 2021 WACE.

“We want to wish them success in their examinations, we believe in them as serious future leaders” said Mr. Olla Williams of One-On-One Foundation.

Unilever Ghana has been supporting the education of students on environmental cleanness,  personal hygiene and sanitation  through the Schools Sanitation Tour organized by One-On-One Foundation and Dreamland Sports Plus, and they wish to encourage all students to study hard and pass the tests.

Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams, Chief Executive Officer of One-On-One Foundation said Unilever Ghana has been instrumental in their programmes and events, and they see education as a very important issue which they must support the government to organize well.

He stressed that teaching the kids and students about hygiene, sanitation and sports makes them aware and smart.

He thanked Unilever Ghana for supporting students with thousands of branded Vim and Key Brillant nose masks and other products.

He promised that the Schools Sanitation Tour Season 8 will come up with new innovative ideas and events.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Chief Marketing Manager of Twellium Industrial Company Limited, Mr. Ali Ajami, was on Monday  thrilled to meet Ghana’s Bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, 20 year old featherweight boxer Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’ and some members of the team that made Ghana proud at the biggest sports festival in the world.

He congratulated the team which was led by President of the Ghana  Olympic Committee GOC, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah to a mini celebration durbar at the factory at Medie, near Nsawam, and commended them for showcasing marvelous performances at the Games.

He hinted that the management of Twellium Industrial is impressed with their performance with has yielded positive result.

According to Mr. Ajami, he and the company believe in giving, which is part of their corporate social responsibilities.

He named some of their products like Verna mineral water, Rush energy drinks, Planet soft drinks and Mcberry brand biscuits as very quality which goes with the performance of Team Ghana proving that it is worthy to sponsor the Olympic Team.

“My company is proud to be part of your success story. You have made Ghana proud and as a company, you have made us get value for the money we invested in you. We are very ready to support you in every way to succeed more. I want to use this platform to announce that all the Athletes that represented Ghana at the Olympics will receive products from Twellium for one year. This is to show our appreciation to you" he expressed.

He indicated that many people did not see the potential in Team Ghana, but they saw it and decide to sponsor the GOC, and it has brought good result.

He announced a handsome package of supply of Verna mineral water, assorted drinks and biscuits to Samuel Takyi for a year.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah thanked the management of Twellium Industrial Company and noted that the athletes can do better with such support as all the whole Team Ghana did well in their respective disciplines.

The skipper of Team Ghana, Cpl. Suleimanu Tetteh presented the Olympic Touch, while Samuel Takyi also presented his Olympic Bronze medal and a symbolic Olympic Touch, after receiving a citation from Mr. Ajami.

Present at the ceremony were President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) Mr. George Lamptey and Chairman of the GOC Marketing Committee / President of Ghana Baseball, Mr. Albert K. Frimpong.

Others were boxer Shakul Samed, coaches Ofori Asare and Vincent Akai Nettey well as Mr. Jojo Ephson PRO of the GBF and some members of the GOC Communications Team.

By GOC Communications

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 14th CANA African Swimming Championship will be inaugurated on Tuesday September 14, 2021 at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium.

According to sources close to the Ghana Swimming Association, the continental event will come off from 11th to17th October,2021 at the Trust Sport Emporium.

The  open water competitions will take place at Akosombo

Miss Farida Idriss, Treasurer of the Ghana Swimming Association hinted Yours Truly that 50 countries have so far confirmed participation, and they expect about 500 swimmers from all over Africa to take part in the Championship.

She noted that Ghana must be proud to host the prestigious international event, which involves junior and senior swimmers, and appealed to corporate institutions to support the Ghana Swimming Association.

Ghana presented two swimmers at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and they all did well within their capabilities.

Abeiku Jackson and Unilez Takyi are expected to be part of the Ghana Team.

She urged the media to support the Ghana Swimming Association to enable them attract sponsors.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

TV Africa  have proved their commitment to supporting female participation in sports when they hosted the directors of Women In Sports Association (WISA) on the popular Sports World Programme last Saturday.

Host, Dennis Gyamfi also of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) quizzed President of WISA, Madam Gloria Commodore and Yours Truly on the upcoming Awards ceremony on September 25, 2021 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

They revealed that the aim of WISA is to encourage females to engage in sports and honour those who excel.

“WISA also organizes sports events in communities and schools to promote healthy  living and fitness awareness” said Madam Commodore.

She said 48 sports personalities including journalists, administrators and athletes will be rewarded at the ceremony which is sponsored by Ghandour Cosmetics.

The former athlete who is now a media executive said Ghanaian sports women and girls are doing well and they should be motivated and inspired.

TV Africa, Homebase, African Sports, UTV, GBC, SWAG and others are supporting the 7^th WISA Awards as media partners.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

AIBA three star rated boxing instructor / coach, Dr. Akwasi Ofori Asare has commended the current Black Bombers team for their hard work, determination, dedication and support for each other.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview, the four time Olympian said the Bombers have been doing well at various international tournaments since 2018, but many people have not observed.

He expressed that Jessie Lartey exceled and won a bronze medal for Ghana at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

According to Coach Asare, young Samuel Takyi who won the only bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games did well at his first outing outside Ghana, when he qualified to represent Ghana at the biggest sports festival in Dakar, Senegal together with skipper Suleimanu Tetteh who was the pace setter and inspired the team a lot.

Asare noted that Shakul Samed also performed well at the 2019 African Games where he also won a bronze medal, and that enabled him to qualify to the Olympic Games.

The much decorated coach said there are many hidden talents in Ghana who must be identified and given the opportunity, as they can also do well for the nation.

He disclosed that there are 15 female boxers who are training daily in preparation for international bouts, and he wants them to be assisted by the sports authorities so that they can gain experience and exposure.

“Ghana is blessed with boxing talents, and we need to give them chances and opportunities to come up and be seen, the local coaches are doing well, and need to be congratulated” he expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine