Ghana best Swimmer, Abeiku Jackson has landed in Kazakhstan to start his one year education scholarship from FINA.

Great Thanks to the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) under Ben Nunoo Mensah, the Ghana Swimming Association led by Theo Edzie and FINA, the world body controlling swimming.

“Jackson is some micro seconds away from qualifying to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and we believe he will make it” said the GOC President.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana defender Alexander Djiku named Strasbourg Player of the Month

Ghana defender Alexander Djiku has been voted Strasbourg player of the month for January. The 27-year-old has been impressive for the French Ligue side throughout the man of January. Djiku’s consistency since the start of the year has been rewarded with the prestigious award. His solidity displayed in defense for Strasbourg saw them concede only 2 goals in their last five matches.

This was particularly the case against Lens (6 defensive clearances and 5 interceptions), Dijon (7 and 6) and Reims (3 and 3).

He won this award for the first time this season after amassing Alexander Djiku (36.9%) ahead of Ludovic Ajorque and Adrien Thomasson who pulled (21.8%) and (7.1%) respectively.

Djiku succeeds his young defender Mohamed Simakan who won the award last month.

Modernghana

Scheduled from April 21 to May 1 in Moscow (Russia), the International Arab Boxing Gala will record the participation of several African boxers.

Eric Richard Ella Békalé recently announced the forthcoming holding of the first international Arab boxing gala. The former president of the Gabonese kickboxing federation, current president of the African Arab Boxing Federation (FABA), also took this opportunity to invite Africans to take part in this great competition, which nourishes the ambition of unite the entire planet around this young federation, but a promising sporting discipline.

More and more, Africa occupies a preponderant place in Arab professional boxing. To date, the continent has around thirty federations. That said, this discipline has just offered a new competition in its calendar: it is a professional boxing gala, the Russian Grand Prix (1st edition) which will take place in Moscow, from April 21 to May 1. 2021. This is the most important competition ever organized in the world in this discipline. Beyond the purely sporting aspect, it will be a unique opportunity in terms of cultural exchanges.

“We are preparing for the most important competition ever organized in the world. So we are going to make history, said Richard Ella Békalé. Our continent, which now has more than thirty federations, will have a say during this competition, despite the current health context not making things easier, already knowing the date of the competition, we will put a framework of work in place to allow our fighters to be on point. I am optimistic, ” said the president of FABA.

In addition to being a great sports competition, this international Arab boxing gala must also be a great cultural moment of sharing. “We will have the opportunity to federate and exchange among ourselves, but also with our Arab boxing brothers from other countries. It is a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, fraternal exchange and exchange of friendship, ” continued Richard Ella Békalé.

The principle being of two combatants per country (a man and a lady), of the 50 African countries approached for this participation, 38 have already confirmed their presence in Moscow.

Africatopsports.com

Former WBO Super Bantamweight Champion, Isaac Dogboe, has ditched father, Paul Dogboe as his manager and trainer.

The “Royal Storm” Dogboe, who has been working his way back to world title contention after losing and failing to recapture his crown from Mexican Emmanuel Navarrete, has revealed he is proceeding without his father, who helped him win his first world title in 2018.

“Right now I’m self-managed, no more managed by my dad, a lot happened over the years and since I took control I said to myself, It’s time to restructure and rebuild some of the bridges that were broken,” he told Gh One TV.

“A lot of people are putting our situation in a negative light. The only thing happening between my father and me is that he’s no more training and managing me and I don’t see anything negative about that”, he said

“I informed him of my decision to want to be in charge and everything is fine, I hold my family in very high esteem. I believe if there’s any problem between myself and my father, I believe he can call and sit me down as a son and talk to me.”

The 26-year-old added: “My father has done a great job. He deserves all the praise.”

“He’s nurtured me from the beginning and if he wasn’t part of my life, Isaac Dogboe won’t be Isaac Dogboe.”

Meanwhile, Paul Dogboe reacting to the decision of his son to part ways with him on Starr FM claimed he had no issues with Isaac Dogboe except with the way he went about the situation.

“I’m not angry that Isaac said I can’t manage him anymore but the way he went about it upset me a little bit, he just sent me a text one day informing of his decision,” he said.

“I asked myself, what if I spent all my time and money with him and had nothing, he’d have screwed me over with this decision”

“The decision he took is not a bad idea but he has to find his footing. He has to make sure he makes it. It’s a challenge to him but I don’t think he’s going to fail. He can’t fail,” Paul added.

“Isaac Dogboe will do well because he’s got everything. The foundation is good so if he does things well, he’s going to excel and I wish him well”

With Paul Dogboe as trainer and manager, Isaac Dogboe claimed the WBO Super Bantamweight title in an 11th round TKO victory over Jessie Magdaleno in April 2018 and successfully defended it four months later against Japanese boxer Hidenori Otake.

But he lost it four months later in December 2018, succumbing to a Unanimous Decision loss to Navarrete and then failed to recapture from the same boxer in April 2019, suffering a 12th round TKO defeat.

Dogboe’s last fight was in July 2020 when he knocked out Chris Avalos in the 12th round of a non-title fight.

He has since been training in Ghana.

Citisports

These boards add to the 10 communication gadgets that were introduced by the GFA

The Ghana Football Association has purchased 10 electronic two-sided substitution boards for domestic competitions.

It is a 23.5cm board with high brightness LED display with optimal readability of 100m and 150 degrees wide readability.

It comes with a Polycarbonate drop-resistant case with IP56 weather protection with easy to set membrane keyboard and long battery life and double-sided with carry bag.

These boards add to the 10 communication gadgets that were introduced by the GFA before the start of the ongoing 2020/21 season. These interventions by the GFA, are aimed at improving refereeing to enhance their performance across competitions.

“The Ghana Football Association has taken delivery of 10 electronic two-sided substitution boards. This gadget is from Italy and we are going to use it in all the League matches i.e., Premier, Division One and Women’s Premier League. GFA referees manager Alex Kotey told ghanafa.org.

“This one is electronic, its not the manual one that you have to turn and turn and turn, and sometimes when you are turning and if you are not careful, you even make mistakes with it. But for this one, it is electronic, it is two-sided, it shows front and back.

“These are gadgets that enhance refereeing, these are gadgets that was even used at the World Cup and for us to have ten of such, is a morale booster.

“This is just telling us that the Ghana Football Association is investing a lot of money and resources into refereeing, especially referee training.

“Just last week, we took delivery of eight additional communication gadgets, which we are using in all the Women’s League matches, the Division One and also some other centres. And so, the FA is putting in a lot of resources and a lot of money, a lot of resources to ensure that refereeing gets to the top.

“That is what we want to do and we believe that if we are able to come up with such gadgets which would enhance refereeing, it will make the game very attractive and of course bring back the love.

“These are the things that we want to be seen doing as we bring back the love into the game of football” Mr Kotey added.

The boards were used across League centres on matchday 13 of the Ghana Premier League.

Yesterday Asante Kotoko supporters demonstrated to the other clubs how to observed the Covid-19 Safety protocols properly at the Accra Sports Stadium in their week 12 fixture against Inter Allies to avoid any ban .

Ghanafa.org

Mr. Jonas Dzane has replaced Frederick Moore as CEO of  Accra Hearts of Oak.

The club confirmed that Frederick Moore is on sick leave.

Dzane will run the affairs of the club with support from the Chief Operating Officer, Willem Coeman, and the other management members.

Meanwhile, Phobian sources say Mr. Moore has resigned and won't return to the club again.

Hearts Management Now;

1. Jonas Dzane - Acting CEO/Administrative Manager
2. Willem Alexander Coeman - Chief Operating Officer
3. Hackman Aidoo - Finance Officer

4.Charles Kwarteng - Chief Commercial Officer

5. Opare Addo - Communication Manager

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana midfielder Enoch Kofi Adu has completed a free agent move to Swedish Allsvenskan side Mjällby AIF.

The 30-year-old – who enjoyed a successful three-year stint with giants AIK – had to leave at the end of the 2020 season after the Stockholm-based club passed on the chance to offer him a new contract. He played 77 matches during the spell.

And Mjällby have moved in to land the services of the 2008 Swedish league winner in a deal that will last until the 2022 season.

The club announced Monday: “Mjällby AIF has finished with experienced 30-year-old Enoch Kofi Adu. The midfielder comes most recently from AIK and has signed a contract until the 2022 season.”

Commenting on the signing, Mjällby sports director Hans Larsson stated:

“Adu is a player who possesses the qualities we are looking for to continue to establish ourselves in the Allsvenskan.

“A player with extremely important routine and qualities in the central midfield that we are convinced we have great benefit from. He showed last year that he is a very competent player.”

“That Adu now chooses Mjällby AIF also shows that the club’s brand and attractiveness have increased,” he added.

Enoch Kofi Adu joins striker Mamudo Moro as the second Ghanaian player on the Mjällby AIF first-team roster.

The 2021 Swedish Allsvenskan kicks off April 11 with Mjällby hosting Varbergs BoIS in their first game of the campaign.

By Footy-ghana

Ace Skeleton winter athlete Akwasi Frimpong  is very xcited and honored to represent his nation, Ghana  and Africa at the #BMWIBSF World Championships 2021 in Altenberg, Germany .

He said “I am looking forward to the challenge, learn and show my progress.

The 1e and 2nd run for the men will be on my birthday Thursday Feb. 11 @ (1 PM CET) (5 AM MST) 2nd run @ (3 PM CET) (7 AM MST).

The 3rd and final 4th run will be on Friday Feb.12 also at @ (1 PM CET) (5 AM MST) and @ (3 PM CET) (7 AM MST)”.

Where to watch:

- in Canada: CBC

- in the USA: NBC/Olympic Channel

- YouTube ??▶️ www.youtube.com/ibsfsliding

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Richard Commey (Left) Belts Ray Beltran. Photo By Mikey Williams/ Top Rank

Big-punching former IBF lightweight titleholder Richard Commey will face once-beaten Jackson Marinez inside The Bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Commey, who is rated No. 4 by The Ring at 135 pounds, will return to action for the first time since losing his title to Teofimo Lopez in December 2019.

“I am really looking forward to going back to Vegas,” Commey (29-3, 26 knockouts) told The Ring. “It’s been a long time coming, but I’m looking forward to getting back in mix. The division is on fire right now. Marinez is a very tricky customer, so I have to be fully focused.”

The 33-year-old Ghanaian remains hugely frustrated at the outcome of the Lopez fight, believing that he didn’t do himself justice.

“I give credit to Teofimo, he caught me with a good shot,” said Commey, who was stopped in two rounds. “Although I got up a bit too early, I felt I recovered and he really didn’t hit me clean with anything else. Being the champ, the ref could have given me a little more time. I made some fundamental mistakes which I will not make again, but I was very disappointed to lose in that manner.”

It was the first definitive loss of Commey’s career. He had previously been on the wrong end of controversial decisions on the road and therefore knows how Marinez feels coming off a highly contentious 12-round unanimous decision defeat to Rolando Romero in August 2020.

“I have watched the fight and he definitely deserved to win,” said Commey. “I have also been on the [wrong] end of hometown decisions with Robert Easter Jr. and Dennis Shafikov. It’s something that happens in the sport from time to time. It’s something that’s part and parcel of boxing. It’s not a good thing but it happens.”

Commey respects Marinez’s skill set and knows he’ll have to be at his best to get the win.

“I think he’s a very good boxer,” acknowledged Commey. “I believe he is trained by Robert Garcia, so I have to give him and his team the upmost respect. He looks very good technically, picks his shots well and is not scared to mix it. I’ll have to be 100-percent on my game to come out victorious.”

Commey spent several months back in his homeland before returning to New York last August to begin preparations for his return. He has remained true to the people that got him to the world title.

“As a person I haven’t changed, but I’ve learned a lot since that fight,” said the ex-titleholder. “I was a world champion, but since the loss, [it] seems like a lot of people have forgotten about me, which I understand as everyone is talking about these new, young lightweights.”

Everyone has an opinion on who’s the best at 135 pounds and Commey is well-placed to assess.

“Teofimo Lopez is the undisputed lightweight champion of the world,” he said. “He beat me fair and square, then he went on to beat [Vasiliy] Lomachenko, who was a unified lightweight champion and the pound-for-pound No. 1 in most people’s eyes.

“So, all other lightweights, in my humble opinion, are pretenders to Teofimo’s crown.”

Long-term manager, Michael Amoo-Bediako, has seen his fighter endure a difficult time since losing his title and is upbeat about his return.

“The most important thing right now is Richard beating Marinez,” said Amoo-Bediako. “We want to keep focused on that, but once Richard wins, he is open to fighting any of the so-called new four kings.

“I’m sure we will have plenty of opportunities as the division is stacked. Richard wants to be a two-time [lightweight] world champion, then moving up to 140 is a possibility that we have spoken about.”

Marinez turned professional in 2016. He fought exclusively in the Caribbean until he got his opportunity to fight in the U.S. on the undercard of Gervonta Davis-Yuriorkis Gamboa in December 2019. He stopped journeyman Yardley Cruz (TKO 2) before losing the aforementioned Romero bout. The 30-year-old Dominican Republic native sports a 19-1, 7 KOs record.

The ESPN telecast will be headlined by Joe Smith vs. Maxim Vlasov. The broadcast begins at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Source - ringtv.com

Inclusion, diversity and gender equality are integral components of the work of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Over the past 25 years, the IOC has played an important role in promoting women in and through sport, and it will continue to do so by setting ambitious targets. In the challenging context we live in, now more than ever, diversity is a fundamental value that we need to respect and draw strength from.

The recent comments of Tokyo 2020 President Mori were absolutely inappropriate and in contradiction to the IOC’s commitments and the reforms of its Olympic Agenda 2020. He apologised and later made a number of subsequent comments.

Besides Mr Mori’s apology, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (OCOG) also considers his comment to be inappropriate and has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality.

As the leader of the Olympic Movement, we are committed to our mission to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures, as stated in the Olympic Charter.

On the one hand, the IOC has a strong record on gender equality (see below), and will continue to build on this. On the other hand, we stand ready to support the OCOG and other organisations in their desired aims within their spheres of responsibility.

The IOC’s decisions, achievements and commitments in this respect include:

1. With female athlete participation of almost 49 per cent, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the first gender-equal Olympic Games.
2. The IOC is requesting all 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for the first time ever to have at least one female and one male athlete in their respective Olympic teams.
3. The IOC has for the first time ever allowed and encouraged all 206 NOCs to have their flag carried by one female and one male athlete at the Opening Ceremony.
4. The Chef de Mission of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 will be Ms Tegla Loroupe, an advocate for peace, the refugee cause, education and women's rights. The first woman from Africa to win the New York marathon, she is also a three-time Olympian and a world record-holder for many years.
5. The IOC’s First Vice-President at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be Ms Anita DeFrantz, an African-American bronze medallist at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976, who is a trailblazer for women’s empowerment.
6. At the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the athletes will be represented by the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC), the majority of whose members are directly elected by the athletes themselves. The IOC AC consists of 11 female and 6 male members. The Chair of the AC and member of the IOC Executive Board is Ms Kirsty Coventry, a five-time Olympian and winner of seven Olympic medals. The Vice-Chair is Ms Danka Bartekova, a three-time Olympian and bronze medallist at the Olympic Games London 2012, who has also already qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
7. Based on a Memorandum of Understanding, the IOC is closely working with UN-Women on the advancement of gender equality. The IOC President has been appointed by UN-Women as a HeforShe Champion in recognition of the IOC’s contribution and commitment to gender equality.
8. Today, female IOC membership stands at 37.5 per cent, up from 21 per cent at the start of Olympic Agenda 2020.
9. Female representation on the IOC Executive Board stands at 33.3 per cent, versus 26.6 per cent pre-Olympic Agenda 2020.
10. Women account for 47.8 per cent of the members of the IOC’s commissions, compared with 20.3 per cent pre-Olympic Agenda 2020.
11. Female employees represent 53 per cent of the IOC administration.

For all these reasons, the athletes, all Olympic stakeholders and the general public can rest assured that the IOC will continue to deliver on its commitment to gender equality, inclusivity, solidarity and non-discrimination.

AIPS