Asarit Football Academy, based in Akutuase, Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region of Ghana have secured sponsorship from Bruynkens Vleeswaren, a company in Belgium that prepares tasty meat for more than 100 years.

Former Ghana international star, Emmanuel Asare who founded the Academy with his wife, Rita and backing of friends, Francis Amuzu based in Germany and George Ntori in USA said they are very happy as the gesture has motivated the young players to put in more effort to train hard to become super stars.

He hinted that Akutuase and surrounding villages are  blessed with talents and their vision is to scout, discover and groom quality player for top clubs in Ghana and Europe, which is the goal of every footballer.

He said they have about 50 players who are training with the ambition of playing big time football in the future, and contributing to the socio economic development of the nation.

The Belgium based ex star said Bruynkens Vleeswaren, the company where he is employed was captivated by his hard work and ability to groom young players to discover their talents in football in this hard times of the coronavirus pandemic, hence the support with nose masks, tee shirts, football equipment and some amount of money to boast their website and social media handles.

CEO of Bruynkens Vleeswaren, Mr. Marc Carpriau together with Carolien Lindekens, Quality Control Manager have promised more assistance as they plan for the future, with the possibility of exporting their products to Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Para Powerlifting team, the Black Optimists is set to depart the shores of the country to Manchester in the UK to participate in the Manchester 2021 Road to Tokyo Para Powerlifting World Cup.

This is one of the last events that offers an opportunity for athletes to gain and solidify their qualification slots to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

The team which has been in camp in Cape Coast since February is in very high hopes of raking in medals and raising the flag of Ghana on this international platform.

Athletes like Vida Antwi, Tahiru Haruna and Emmanuel Oku among others have been sighted displaying their high hopes of making Ghana proud at the competition.

In February 2020, the team attended the 2020 edition of the competition and won a Bronze medal after winning Gold, Silver and Bronze a few days before in Abuja during the Abuja 2020 World Para Powerlifting World Cup.

In a short interview with one of the coaches, he asked for the support of the country as the team is determined to give a good performance to promote the sport in the country and the African continent.

On his part, the Secretary General of the NPC-Ghana, Mr. Peter Adjei said, "The sport has grown since 2015, it will keep growing and it will become one of the greatest Para sport in the country, I am glad we are witnessing it".

By Akakpo Agodji

The 2021 edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human was held at Cape Coast in the Central Region over the weekend with the participants registering some good times though not near the records.

Sarfo Ansah representing UDS won the Men’s 100 meters dash in 10.83 secs. with Barnabas Aggerh also of UDS coming second in 10.94 secs and Isaac Botsio of the University of Ghana (UG) taking the third position in 10.97 secs.

Grace Obuor of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon was given a hot challenge in the Women’s 100 final by Kate Agyeman of the GFH Speedsters Club as they both ran 12. 30 secs. to place first and second respectively. Janet Mensah of the Ashanti Region was third in 12. 49 secs.

Abdul Razak from the Central Region won the Boy’s Under 18 in 11.18 secs, with Dennis Amponsah (Ashanti) coming closely second in 11. 18 secs, while Richmond Oppong (Ashanti) took the third position 11. 33 secs.

The Girls Under 18 100 meters race was taken by Benedicta Kwartenmaa of the Ashanti Region in 12.45 secs. Agnes Dufia of the GFH club was second in 12. 87 sec. and Central Region’s Nasira Quansah took the third position in 12. 97 secs.

Sarfo Ansah of the GFH Speedsters Club won the 200 meters in 21.61 secs, Armah Wallace from the UDS came second in 21.74 secs. While Edwin Gadayi of GFH placed third in 21.91 secs.

Grace Obour of the University of Cape Coast run 24.48 sec to win the Women’s 200 meters race. She was followed by Kate Agyeman of the GFH club who came second in 24.52 secs. and Beatrice Boakye from the Ashanti  25.53 secs was third.

Organisers of the programme, CEO Reks Brobbey and Media Officer Ken said they were impressed with the times registered, and hope for an improvement in the next competitions in Accra and Kumasi.

The second competition will be held at the University of Ghana, Legon for the Accra Edition on Saturday April 10, and the third scheduled for the Paa Joe Stadium (KNUST) on Saturday May 1, 2021.

The competition is also for males and females under 18 and over 18 sprinters. and 200 meters has been added. At stake is President Nana Akufo Addo’s cup.

The GFH competition which intends to unearth top sprinters for Ghana to participate in the Olympic Games is sponsored by GNPC, Adidas, GCB, Kriate Lync, Wrenco and Global Media Alliance.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian light heavyweight boxer Shakul Samed has been granted the nod to become the third boxer from Ghana to qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

According to Coach Ofori Asare, his qualification was based on the Boxing Task Force (BTF) rankings released in February which ranked him 10th in the world and 3rd in Africa.

The experience coach said if all goes well three more boxers can make it. He named Ornella the female boxer, Jessie Lartey and Wahid Omar as they are also rated among the best on the continent.

The reigning SWAG Amateur Boxer of the year who hails from a boxing family joins skipper / flyweight boxer Sulemanu Tetteh and sensational Samuel Takyi, a featherweight boxer, to have qualified for the Games scheduled for July this year.

Shakul is the younger brother of Bastir and Issah Samir, both members of national boxing team, Black Bombers, who represented Ghana at the Beijing Olympic Game in 2008.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Saturday 27th March will be another busy night for boxing fans as the Cahaya Lounge Adjirigano in Accra hosts the Championship Night.

The bill is promoted by SOAQ Empire Boxing Promotions headlined by a flyweight championship between Prince Patel and Julius Thomas Kisarawe for the WBO Africa super flyweight, WBO Global super flyweight and IBF Continental Africa flyweight titles.

The English Native Patel clashed with former ABU bantamweight champion Innocent Evarist in an all round packed action which ended in a split decision draw for the titles above. The two were to crack at the straps later on a scheduled date but Evarist declined.

Patel (23-1-2, 18KOs) 28, had to settle on another Tanzanian to go at the titles for the second time. The English national has said that it would have been another experience to square it off with Evarist but Kisarawe is another challenge he is ready to dispatch to go for the world title.

"It was a great experience going the whole length of the night with Evarist and ready to take him on again but have to chicken out so cheap" said Patel.

"Kisarawe is another challenge we are looking forward to put behind us to be able to shot at the world title". He added.

Ebenezer Tetteh will face Osmanu Haruna in a 12 rounder co-main event of the night and battle for the WBA Pan Africa heavyweight belt.

Former Ghanaian middleweight champion Issah Samir will face a yet to be announce opponent in a 10 round contest on the bill whilst London based Swedish and former IBO lightweight champion female category, Lucy Wildheart will take on Flora Machela in an international featherweight contest.

There will be other exciting supporting bouts which will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday March 23 at the Cahaya Lounge Adjiringanor, Accra.

By Mustapha Nettey

At the First Track meet in Ghana since March last year due to Covid, God's name was praised on Saturday..

After following all Covid - 19 protocols at the Cape Coast sports stadium and running into a strong headwind that affected all the times considerably, the best of the nation in the 100 and 200 meters met for a fierce showdown, beginning their journey into trying to get a ticket to represent Ghana at the Tokyo Olympic Games this July.

When it was all said and done, the 2019 African Games Bronze medalist in the 400 meters, Grace Obuor of the GNPC Ghana's Fastest Human Athletics Club, beat all the nation's sprinters in the 100 and 200 meters, a sprints double, to take the lead as Ghana's Fastest Woman so far this year.

In the Men's division, it was another sprints double win for Sarfo Ansah in the 100 and 200 meters also from the GNPC Ghana's Fastest Human Athletics Club.

The Under 18 boys was won by an amazing new talent from Adisadel College, Razak and the Under 18 Girls, by Dufie from the Ashanti region.

Accra is the next meet on April 10th, 2021. All the best sprinters in the capital must come on board to see who runs fastest to represent Ghana at Tokyo 2020.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Litz RBC on Saturday beat Welts RBC 5-2 in an exciting and thrilling game at the Deon Recreational Center at Lashibi in Accra to claim the 18th Roll Ball Anniversary Cup. They also took home 2,000ghc and the bragging rights.

Ezekiel Annan of Welts RBC was declared the best player after the finals.

GHALCA Chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo who watched all the matches advised the players to train hard and push the game to become popular so that they would be recognized as stars and super stars.

Yours Truly also urged them to ensure that the sport is supported by the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Olympic Committee so that they represent and compete at the 2023 African Games.

Mr. Gameli, President of the Roll Ball Federation of Ghana appealed to companies and individuals who love sports to develop the youth to sponsor and support the game.

He said the discipline is in all the regions in Ghana and the Ashanti region promised to join in the next competition.

The Deon Recreational Center at Lashibi is also a facility which has been in existence for three years but very fantastic and cool for leisure and entertainment. They have swimming, basketball, racing, football, volleyball and other facilities for sports.

The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) , Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah in a message to the Roll Ball players supported the initiative of saying no to drugs and saying yes to sports. He urged them to be positive Ambassadors of sports.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars Head Coach C. K Akonnor has named a 29-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe. The team is a mixture of home based and others who play abroad.

Coach Akonnor who has been training with home-based players in Accra for the past four weeks has settled on Nine of those players for the two crucial games.

They include Gladson Awako, Joseph Esso, Ismael Ganiyu, Razak Abalora, Eric Ofori Antwi and Kwame Opoku.

Black Satellites trio, Danlad Ibrahim, Philemon Baffuor and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku have also been named.

In the squad are Stephen Ambrosius of Hamburger SV in Germany, Kamal Sowah of OH Leuven in Belgium, Kwasi Okyere Wriedt of Willem II in Holland, Kwame Afriyie Opoku of Colchester United, Osman Bukari of Gent and Emmanuel Gyasi of Spezia FC in Italy.

Ghana will take on South Africa on March 25 in Johannesburg before engaging Sao Tome and Principe on March 29, 2021 at the Accra Sports stadium.

The Black Stars sit at the top of Group C with 9 points and are in search of one of the tickets to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates – South Africa), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko - Ghana), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC - Ghana), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko- Ghana)

Full Backs: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK – Greece), Gideon Mensah (Vitória de Guimarães – Portugal), Benson Annan (MLK Zilina – Slovakia), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC – Ghana)

Central Defenders: Nicholas Opoku (Amiens SC – France), Kasim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim – Germany), Ganiyu Ismael (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Stephen Ambrosius (Hamburger SV – Germany)

Central Midfield: Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam – Holland), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning F.C - China), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor - Turkey), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC - France), Iddrisu Baba (RCD Mallorca – Spain), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics -Ghana), Kwame Afriyie Poku (Colchester United – England)

Left Attacking Midfield: Osman Bukari (Gent – Belgium), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC- Ghana)

Right Attacking Midfield: Kamal Sowah (OH Leuven- Belgium), Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast FC – Ghana)

Attackers: Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Professional- China), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia – Italy), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), John Antwi (Pyramids FC – Egypt), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Willem II – Holland), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor – Turkey)

Ghana have withdrawn from the final phase of the 2020 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

The decision to pull the Black Sharks out of the qualifiers comes about a week from playing the Sand Cranes of Uganda in a two-legged affair.

Bizarrely, it has emerged that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) communicated the country’s inability to go ahead to participate in the qualifiers at the blind side of the team.

The Black Sharks – who for the past two or more weeks had been training at Laboma Beach in Accra – only heard news of the withdrawal on their behalf from their Ugandan counterparts who had received a communique from Caf.

Team Ghana was scheduled to fly out of the country on March 24 ahead of the first leg scheduled for the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on the 27th.

But the GFA wrote to Caf to pull out of the qualifiers for the team which has participated in three Afcon finals since it was constituted in 2013.

“Kindly note that Ghana FA has officially withdrawn from the Beach Soccer AFCON. Accordingly, the above-mentioned two qualifying matches have been cancelled and Uganda is automatically qualified to the Final Tournament of Beach Soccer AFCON,” a Caf notice to the Uganda FA read in part.

Uganda national Beach Soccer team thus secure automatic qualification to the 2020 Beach Soccer Afcon to be hosted by Senegal.

The tournament will serve as a qualification route for African nations to the 2021 edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup slated for Russia.

The Ugandans were to host the Beach Soccer Afcon in November last year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising water levels on the shores of Lake Victoria affecting the hosting beach, they withdrew from hosting the tournament.

Senegal was subsequently chosen as the new hosts and the tournament rescheduled to between May 23 and 29, 2021.

Uganda now joins Senegal (hosts) and Egypt as the only qualified teams to the 4th edition of the event.

Burundi, Comoros, Madagascar, DR Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Seychelles and Tanzania are still at the qualifying phase of the tournament.

Footyghana

The Olympics will be held in Tokyo this summer

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Organising Committee said on Saturday that international spectators will not be allowed to enter Japan during the Olympic Games which are scheduled for this summer.

Japanese authorities told the Olympic and Paralympic committees it was "highly unlikely that entry" to the country could be guaranteed.

Olympic and Paralympic tickets purchased by overseas residents will be refunded, it said in a statement – around 600,000 tickets for the Olympics and another 300,000 for the Paralympics.

"Today, the Five Parties (the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), the Organising Committee Tokyo 2020 and the Government of Japan) met virtually," began the statement.

DURING THE MEETING, THE IOC AND IPC WERE INFORMED, AS OUTLINED BELOW, ABOUT THE CONCLUSION OF THE JAPANESE PARTIES NOT TO ALLOW ENTRY INTO JAPAN FOR OVERSEAS SPECTATORS FOR THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 DUE TO THE PREVAILING WORLDWIDE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

"Olympic and Paralympic tickets purchased by overseas residents from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will be refunded."

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed last year to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Reuters