National swimming coach, Daniel Okyere Opare aka ‘BB’ has applauded the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) for making the right choices in terms of leadership for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The economist / coach who is part of the Tokyo 2020 team camping in Inawashiro in the Fukushima Prefecture said he has observed that the team is intact, confident, exciting and disciplined.

Speaking at a gathering on Saturday when Ghana’s Ambassador, HE Frank Okyere came to visit the team, he extoled the new GOC Board for selecting commited and dedicated personalities who are selfless and inspiring.

According to Coach Opare who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, from the Chef de Mission to the Media Attache, everyone knows his or her job and they are working very hard to make the athletes very happy.

He observed that the Coaches, Medical officer, Covid -19 Liaison Officer and Chaperon of the Swimming team as well as the Administrative Officer are doing so well in protecting and guiding the athletes.

“In fact, I am so happy about this squad as they live like a family with everyone sharing what he or she has.”

According to the University of Ghana Swimming trainer, the affection level is so high, and he is very sure they will come home with laurels.

“Ghana won a medal at the Olympic Games so many years ago, but with what I am seeing this year would be different because the athletes are hungry for success, and ready to make history” he expressed.

The last time Ghana won an Olympic  medal was in Barcelona in 1992 when the Black Meteors won bronze medals.

In total, Ghana has four Olympic medals; one silver in boxing in 1960, and three bronze medals in 1964 in Tokyo, Munich in 1972 and Barcelona 1992.

By Sammy Heywood Okine / Inawashiro

Ghana's Ambassador to Japan HE. Frank Okyere The Mayor of Inawashiro, Mr. Hiroshi Zongo and the Chef de Mission of Ghana's Olympic Team, Mr. Michael Aggrey on Saturday complemented each other at a colorful ceremony held at the Inawashiro Cultural Center.

Mr. Unayama Tamaka, Superintendent of education introduced the program and welcomed all the guests present.

HE Frank Okyere who had earlier in the day paid a visit to the camp of Team Ghana at the Bandai Youth Center commended the athletes and officials who would represent Ghana at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for their discipline and determination as well as compliance with all the protocols. .

He charged them to do their very best to perform extraordinarily to win for mother Ghana.

He congratulated them for qualifying as the best athletes of the nation and urged them to challenge the best of the world at the biggest sporting festival.

He advised them not to feel intimidated or panic but try hard to compete and excel to take the medals at stake.

" I wish to thank the Mayor of Inawashiro for deciding to host Team Ghana despite the Covid-19 challenges and on behalf of the government of Ghana thank him for the warm hospitality to the delegation  the training camp. I am certain that the sacrifice will be rewarded if Ghana win medals in Tokyo and

I am happy to know that photos of Ghana's athletes would be on display in Inawashiro Town during and after the Games, as I hope you will have a productive stay in Inawashiro. May I however urge everyone not to lose focus as the whole of Ghana is looking up to you, and remember to represent Ghana as Ambassadors, praying that you will put up your best" he said.

The Ambassador met the team together with the Mayor of Inawashiro at the Cultural Center where he presented him with a special sash.

The Ghanaian team also presented the Mayor with one of the team's colorful jerseys and a kente stole.

The Mayor of Inawashiro, Mr. Zongo then gave Team Ghana gifts including water, beverages, undisclosed amount of money for their upkeep and special tee shirts with the inscription Patience and Persiverance which were the hall marks of the late medical scientist Dr. Hideyo Noguchi who researched on yellow Fever and died in Ghana.

He assured Team Ghana of the town's unflinching support and urged the athletes to die for their motherland.

Chef De Mission for Team Ghana, Mr. Mike Aggrey thanked both the Mayor and the Ambassador and  promised them that the athletes are aware that in 1964, Ghana won a medal in boxing at the Olympic Games in Japan and they are certainly going to repeat that history..

He introduced each member of Team Ghana and they took memorable pictures before the athletes led by coach Asare gave them a JAMA song which meant that this year is going to be different from previous times  as they are poised on going to win glory for their mother land.

Mr. Ray Anankwa, on behalf of the Ghanaian community living in Japan shared his experience living in Japan saying Inawashiro is a home away from home and they have learnt a lot in terms of time management, environmental cleanliness and patriotism. He promised that they will fully support Team Ghana in spirit despite the declaration that supporters would not be allowed at the stadium. .

He expressed the hope that the bond between Ghana and Japan will grow and go beyond its current form.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is less than a fortnight  from the opening and will be without spectators, however the locals have promised to support Ghana to break the drought of medals.

Ghana is participating in athletics, swimming, judo, weightlifting and boxing.

By Sammy Heywood Okine /Inawashiro

The Ghana Paralympic Committee (NPC-Ghana) has signed a sponsorship deal focused on Development and participation in competitions towards France 2024, with conglomerate quarry owners Ms Amanda Zhang Suzhen and Mr. Yao Antai.

As part of the agreement, TT QUARRY, KK QUARRY and PILOT QUARRY has provided $20,000 (£14,734N/€16,400) to the NPC-Ghana to help with Ghana's preparations and development of athletes for qualifying competitions ahead of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, All African Games and France 2024 Paralympic Games.

Mr. Yao Antai, The CEO of the three Quarries has assured to also supply and support the construction of a sports center, supply clothing including tracksuits, t-shirts and caps to the Ghanaian team which is set to compete at Tokyo 2020.

The President of the Ghana Paralympic committee of Ghana Mr. Samson Deen introduced, signed and confirmed details to the Minister of Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif at the ministry said his strategy is development of the Paralympic sports across the country and making same attractive to the people of Ghana.

Responding to the great news, The Sports Minister said, "The government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo believe in youth development and continue to support the Ghanaian youth to excel in every field of their career, whether through sports, education and other forms of career choices," he confirmed the government is determined to use the 2023 All African Games to be hosted by Ghana to give the Ghanaian youth best of sports facilities. He thanked Mr. Yao Antai, Ms. Amanda Zhang Suzhen for coming to the aid of Paralympic Ghana and further reiterated a call for other companies in the country to support Paralympic Sports in the nation as he is very much hopeful of medals at the games.

Members of the NPC Ghana Executive Board were also present.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Bombers skipper Suleimanu Tetteh was on Friday evening named the General Captain of the Ghana Team at the Tokyo 2020 by the Chef de Mission, Mr. Michael Aggrey.

Tetteh who is a Corporal with the Prisons Service of Ghana participated at the 2012 Olympiad in London as a light flyweight.

The astounding and ever - serious amateur boxer represented Ghana at the African Championships and won  a Silver medal in 2015 in Casablanca, Morocco.

He won gold at the ECOWAS Games in 2012 in Accra, and looking forward to enter the medal zone at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games coming up in a couple of days.    

According to the Chef de Mission, Tetteh will lead Team Ghana at the opening ceremony on July 23, and assisted by Nadia Eke as the organisers of the Tokyo 2020 have instructed that two people, a male and female will bear the flags of participating nations.

He was full of smiles when the announcement was made and expressed that the new appointment has raised his confidence.

By Sammy Heywood Okine / Inawashiro

The Japanese Government has introduced a state of emergency in capital Tokyo for the duration of the Olympics in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 - and it means no spectators will be present at the capital's venues.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga decided today to keep the city under the toughest restrictions from Monday (July 12) until August 22.

Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa has confirmed that means there will be no fans present at venues in prefectures under a state of emergency.

Initially, Tokyo 2020 organisers agreed to allow a maximum of 10,000 fans or 50 per cent of a venue's capacity, but this was on the assumption that Tokyo would have left a quasi-state of emergency.

The Games are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 and have already been postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suga is due to hold a press conference later today to explain the decision, which comes a day after Tokyo reported 920 new coronavirus cases, the biggest daily increase since the middle of May.

It will be Tokyo's fourth state of emergency since the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020.

Expected measures for the capital include prohibiting restaurants from serving alcohol and asking them to close by 8pm.

"We are hoping to keep people from moving around during the summer break and the Bon holidays until vaccinations move further along," said Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economic Revitalisation, who is in charge of the country's COVID-19 response, in comments reported by Kyodo News.

Japan has fully vaccinated only 15.2 per cent of its population and approximately 25 per cent of the population are older than 65 years.

The neighbouring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa, plus Osaka, will be under a quasi-state of emergency - which puts fewer restriction on businesses and targets high-risk areas within the prefectures - until August 22 too.

However, a similar measure still in place in five other prefectures - marathon and race walking host Hokkaido, Aichi, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka - is set to expire on Sunday (July 11) as planned.

The islands prefecture of Okinawa has had its state of emergency extended.

Japan has reported more than 811,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, resulting in the deaths of more than 14,800 people.

Yesterday's figures showed 1,635 new cases and another 22 deaths.

By Michael Houston 

Fourteen (14) athletes will represent Ghana in athletics, swimming, judo, boxing and weightlifting at the 28th edition of the Olympic Games, to be hosted in Tokyo, Japan.

Chef de Mission, Mr. Mike Aggrey confirmed in an exclusive chat.

The Black Bombers are made up of three boxers; Skipper Suleman Tetteh (Flyweight), Samuel Takyi (Featherweight) and Shakul Samed (Light Heavyweight).

The track and field team include Eke Nadia – (W) (Triple Jump), Amoah Joseph Paul – (M) 200 M, 4 X 100 M Relay (Athletics), Azamati-Kwaku Benjamin – (M) 100 M, 4 X 100 M Relay (Athletics), Oduro Manu Joseph – (M) 4 X 100 M Relay (Athletics), Safo-Antwi Sean – (M) 4 X 100 M Relay (Athletics) and Yeboah Emmanuel – (M) 4 X 100 M Relay (Athletics).

The two swimmers are Abeiku G. Jackson and 16 year old Unilez Y. Takyi.

Nadia Eke was one of the second Ghanaian athletes to qualify, she is expected to be the flag bearer.

Christopher Amoah is the sole weightlifter, while Anani Kwadjo with engage in Judo competition.

Full list:

TAKYI UNILEZ – (W) 50 m Freestyle (Swimming).

JACKSON ABEKU – (M) 100 m Butterfly (Swimming).

EKE NADIA – (W) (Triple Jump).

AMOAH JOSEPH PAUL – (M) 200 m, 4 x 100 m Relay (Athletics).

AZAMATI-KWAKU BENJAMIN – (M) 100 m, 4 x 100 m Relay (Athletics).

ODURO MANU JOSEPH – (M) 4 x 100 m Relay (Athletics).

SAFO-ANTWI SEAN – (M) 4 x 100 m Relay (Athletics).

YEBOAH EMMANUEL – (M) 4 x 100 m Relay (Athletics).

SARFO ANSAH – (M) 4 x 100 m Relay (Athletics).

SAMED SHAKUL – (M) Light Heavy (75-81 kg) (Boxing).

SULEMANU TETTEH – (M) Fly (48-52 kg) (Boxing).

TAKYI SAMUEL – (M) Feather (52-57 kg) (Boxing).

ANANI KWADJO – (M) Men -90 kg (Judo).

AMOAH CHRISTIAN (M) 96 kg (Weightlifting).

By GOC Communications

There is high optimism in the camp of Team Ghana who are preparing for the 28^th Olympic Games in Tokyo.

According to Chef de Mission, Mr. Michael Aggrey everyone is fine, excited and ready to perform for mother Ghana.

He said it is a long time since Ghana won a medal at the Olympic Games and this time, things would be different.

He revealed that triple jumper Nadia Eke and Skipper of the boxing team Sulemanu Tetteh will bear the flag of Ghana at the opening ceremony.

According to him, after one week stay at the Bandai Youth Center, the athletes and officials have acclamatised and everyone is in high spirits. The weather, food and water are okay.

Every morning the team undergoes Covid-19 test and they are seriously obeying the health and safety protocols.

The Covid-19 Liaison Officer (CLO) , Mr. Haruna Adamu and Medical Officer, Dr. Julia Derban ensure that everyone puts on the nose masks which are available and use sanitizers frequently.

There is unity and affection in the camp, as they all co-operate and support each other.

The three Black Bombers train daily under the supervision of Coach Dr. Asare at the Aizu Wakamatsu General Gym, the two swimmers train regularly at the Azuma High School Pool while the weightlifter trains at the Bandai Youth Center.

The team also wears the approved clothes supplied by Ashfoam and Twellium Indusrial Company.

Administrative Manager, Miss Farida Iddriss, Interpreter, Seyram Adukpo and Yours Truly are coordinating effectively and efficiently to ensure that the mission of Team Ghana to excel is accomplished.

The team will move to the Games Village in Tokyo on July 17, 2021, while the competitions start from July 23, 2021 to August 8, 2021.

By Sammy Heywood Okine / Inawashiro.

Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics agreed on Thursday to ban fans from the events under a COVID-19 state of emergency.

“We reached an agreement on no spectators at venues in Tokyo,” Japan’s Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa said.

The widely expected move – which means the Games will happen mostly behind closed doors – was made following talks between the government, Tokyo organisers, and Olympic and paralympic representatives.

It was “regrettable” that the Games were going to be held in a limited format, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto told a briefing, adding her apologies to those who had bought tickets.

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it was essential to prevent Tokyo, where the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant was spreading, from becoming the source of another wave of infections.

“Taking into consideration the impact of the Delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” Suga said.

The ban all but robs the Tokyo Games, which are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, of their last hope for pomp and public spectacle.

Once seen as a chance for Japan to stand large on the global stage after a devastating earthquake ten years ago, the showpiece event was delayed by the pandemic last year and has been hit by huge budget overruns.

Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators would be the least risky option amid widespread public fears an influx of thousands of athletes and officials will lead to a new wave of infections.

Tokyo reported 920 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the most since May. “The infections are in their expansion phase and everyone in this country must firmly understand the seriousness of it,” Dr Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, said.

The decision to ban spectators is the latest blow to fans after a year’s postponement because of the pandemic, a steady downscaling of events, banning of foreign fans, and then the cap on domestic spectators.

‘It’s really regrettable’

A majority of Japanese still oppose holding the Games amid the pandemic and a slow vaccine rollout.

“It’s really regrettable they haven’t been able to stamp out infections here,” said Keiko Otsubo, a woman in her 40s who works for an IT firm and had planned to watch the triathlon.

“If they’d been able to get vaccinations over earlier we could’ve been like America and other places, where everybody’s now going out to sports events just like normal.”

About one-quarter of Japan’s population has been given at least one vaccine dose.

Some fans were upset the final decision on spectators came just two weeks before the start of the Games.

“I’m really annoyed at how long it’s taking organisers to decide,” said Shota Tabara, a 29-year-old who spent 100,000 yen ($912) on tickets to track, volleyball and basketball.

Others said they were now opposed to the Games and would not go even if they could, pointing to media reports that VIPs and some sponsors may still be allowed into events like the opening ceremony.

“It seems like bringing in all these people is just the perfect virus stew to produce another variant or spread the ones we already have,” said Alison, a 42-year-old teacher and long-term Scottish resident of Japan.

She planned to take her parents to the Games and bought nine tickets. She declined to give her last name.

“I think a lot of people feel it’s kind of clear that it’s one rule for the people at the top – and something else for everyone else.”

‘Going out for drinks’

The main focus of the emergency declaration is a request for bars, restaurants and karaoke parlours serving alcohol to close.

A ban on serving alcohol is a key step to tone down Olympic-related festivities and keep people from drinking and partying. Tokyo residents are expected to face stay-home requests and watch the games on TV from home.

“How to stop people enjoying the Olympics from going out for drinks is a main issue,” Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said.

The Olympics are pushing ahead against most medical advice, partially because the postponement stalled the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) income flow. It gets almost 75 percent of its income from selling broadcast rights, and estimates suggest it would lose $3bn to $4bn if the Olympics were canceled.

About 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians are expected to enter Japan, with tens of thousands of officials, judges, administrators, sponsors, broadcasters, and media also entering. The IOC says more than 80 percent of residents in the Olympic Village will be vaccinated.

By aljazeera.com

With a few weeks to the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Black Bombers of Ghana put up an impressive performance in their training at the Atzu Wakamatsu General Gym when they took on their Japanese counterparts on Wednesday.

Skipper Sulemanu Tetteh climbed the ring first and gave a good account of himself with a technical knock out against Tamaka who was caught with a cut to end proceedings in the first round.

Samuel Takyi also put up a good show against Kondo in their Featherweight bout, while Shakul Samed fought four rounds against two opponents, Shimoda and Kawana.

The test contest was requested by Japanese coach Susa Katsaki who wanted to know the preparation level of his team as he knew Team Ghana could give them a good match.

For Coach Dr. Ofori Asare the program was ideal to see his boys status ahead of the Games and expressed satisfaction saying they did not put up all their arsenals knowing what is at stake.

He however commended his boys and their opponents for the remarkable performance which was staged in the presence of  the Japanese media and student boxers from a High school.

Later in interviews, Shakul Samed thanked the Japanese team for the opportunity and made his intention of going home with a medal known.

Samuel Takyi also did not hide his dream of making history with an Olympic medal  while Sulemanu Tetteh assured his fans of greater things to come in Tokyo.

Chef de Mission, Mr. Michael Aggrey expressed appreciation to the authorities of the host town, Inawashiro for their support and promised Ghanaians at home that they will certainly not come home empty handed. He hoped for a good ballot and fair officiating..

Meanwhile, weightlifter, Christian Amoah and swimmers, Abeiku Jackson and Unilez Takyi also continue with their training and assured Ghanaians of a good show when the Olympic Games takes off in Tokyo in a couple of weeks.

By Sammy Heywood Okine / Inawashiro

President of the Ghana swimming Association, Mrs. Delphina Quaye on behalf of her two swimmers who are going to compete at the Tokyo 2020 and the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) presented a Kente sash and Golden Tree Chocolate to the proprietor of Azuma Junior High School, Mr. Masa in Inawashiro, Fukushima.

The presentation took place on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at the school’s premise.

Present at the short ceremony were Chef de Mission of Team Ghana for the 2020 Olympic Games, Mr. Michael Aggrey, Covid-19 Liaison Officer (CLO) Mr. Haruna Adamu, Coach Daniel Opare and Mr. Seyram Adukpo, Interpreter of the Ghanaian team at the Games.

Mrs. Delphina Quaye said the presentation was to show appreciation for the support the school is giving to the Ghana Swimming team who are called GH Swim Team.

Mr. Masa was also very elated for the gesture and said Ghana is always welcome to their premises.

Ghana is represented in swimming by Abeiku G.Jackson and Unilez Y.Takyi at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine / Inawashiro