Former IBF Lightweight champion, Richard Oblitey Commey, will take onDominican opponent, Jackson Marinez, at The Bubble, MGM Grand in Las Vegas on February 13, 2021.

Commey aka ‘Azonto is making a return to the ring after a one-year layoff after losing his world title to Teofimo Lopez at the Madison Square Garden.

As the last boxer to have won a world title for Ghana, a lot rests on the shoulders of Commey who is committed to climbing his way up for another world title shot.

Jackson Marinez who has lost just once in 20 fights in his career is a tough opponent for the Ghanaian, but Commey can weather the storm having risen on the back of similar setbacks to glory.

Having learnt his lessons after defeats to Robert Easter Jr and Dennis Shafikov, the boxer from Accra, Ghana, stands a chance of reclaiming his lost glory once again.

Commey has been in the gym training in the US with his coaches after ending his vacation in Ghana in August 2020.

After a sparring training session last week, Commey wrote on Instagram, “Great rounds in the bank with these guys today. Thank you for the quality sparring, loved it.”

At 33-years-old, the Ghanaian would face his 30-year-old opponent who lost his only fight last year to Rolando Romero for an interim WBA title.

However, the Dominican who has enjoyed 19 consecutive wins before his last fight, would be looking forward to making amends in his fight against Richard Commey.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Accra Great Olympics 2-0 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak over the weekend in match-day 11 of the Ghana Premier League came as a surprise to many but the men who inspired the team to victory have less been talked about.

Coach Yaw Preko, his assistant, Godwin Attram and goalkeeper’s trainer, Richard Kingson are the men who seem to have been forgotten as the brains behind the team’s success.

A sublime free-kick from Captain Gladson Awako placed Olympics ahead in the early minutes of the game. However, Maxwell Abbey’s perfectly placed strike secured the spoils for Great Olympics to move 3rd on the league table.

Whiles many celebrate Olympics’ first victory in a decade over their regional rivals, the men who plotted the defeat of their rivals have received the lowest claps.

The new Technical Team set up of Great Olympics is what played an instrumental role in the team’s success on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Coach Yaw Preko

The former Hearts of Oak assistant coach got the mission accomplished in his toughest assignment since taking up the job. According to the coach, his tactics to beat the Phobians was simple, “the boys came to the party and we decided to hit them early and it worked. In the 2nd half, all we had to do was to be compact and exactly our plan really worked well for us.”

Assistant coach Godwin Attram

As one who has been around the team for very long, retiring as a player-coach, Godwin Attram brought his expertise on the touchline as he collaborated with his boss, assistant, Godwin Attram to issue commands from the touchlines. Indeed the charisma of the boys was high in the game and Attram deserves the accolades for that.

Goal keepers coach Richard Kingson

Former Black Stars goalkeeper’s trainer Richard Kingston joined the technical team on January 15 and since then the team has kept two clean sheets in a role- against Karela and Hearts of Oak. It was no surprise that against all odds Olympics goalkeeper, Salifu Saed won the man of the match in the game. Saed acknowledged Kingson’s impact on him ahead of the game when he said during the post-match interview that “he told us yesterday that whatever he’s going to teach us yesterday was going to come to past. So it was like I had played the match already at training so I was coming to repeat it here.” Salifu Saed who was formerly with Inter Allies also noted that he had never lost a game against Hearts of Oak before.

Ghanaweb

Second Serve Tennis Shop; a subsidiary of Tennis Foundation Ghana (TFG) on Monday donated a carton and  half of tennis balls to the Tennis Professionals of Ghana (TPG) for the 2021 National Ranking Tour 1.

The weeklong tournament will be hosted at the National Tennis Center, Accra.

In an interview with ghanatennis.org; manager of Second Serve Tennis Shop Mr.  Michael Sekyere said, "we are extremely passionate about young people and opportunities that help them develop.

The National Ranking tournament is a great platform we can associate with to ensure young people can play good tennis and eventually go on to win big laurels at major international competitions for themselves and our country Ghana."

"We look forward to a tough and exciting competition with players from around the country going into battle against each other on the courts," he added.

Receiving the balls, President of TPG Andrews Adu Appiah said, "we very grateful to Second Serve for the continuous support towards our Association (TPG)."

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh

MATTERS ARISING (Final Part 5)

By Magnus Rex Danquah

Land Economist, Sport Business Consultant, Bid Architect & Manager for CAN 2008 Tournament and 13th African Games Ghana 2023

WHEN I decided to write these series, the decision was based on the fact that I have seen many nice gentlemen and the only lady appointed as Ministers for Youth and Sports and come to the office with great intentions of REPOSITIONING GHANA SPORTS FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PEOPLE but then reshuffled within days or months, lost the way for making the management of the BLACK STARS the only job description of the office, or pursue infrastructural developments not for just provision for their sake but other interests.

Hon. E. T. Mensah is touted as the longest serving Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports (appointed to the office from 27th April, 1993 and left 6th January, 2001 when NDC government handed over to NPP administration), whilst Hon. Mallam A. Y. Isa has the record of the shortest stay (assumed office on Valentine’s Day 14th February, 2001 and left on 14th March, 2001).

Hon. Papa Owusu-Ankomah, my old School mate, has been appointed twice to the Ministry: the first time to take over from Hon. Mallam A. Y. Isa, after his exit (from 1st August, 2001 to 16th October, 2001) and came back as part of the restructured joint Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (from 8th May, 2006 to 6th August, 2007).

My favourite Minister for Youth and Sports has been the ‘Gentleman of Gentlemen’, the late Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, who was the Minister from 17th April, 2003 to 3rd February, 2005. He was most instrumental in the success story of Ghana’s bid for the rights to host and organize the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nation (CAN 2008), and was with us in the 6th October City Headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that fateful day, when Ghana beat Libya by 9 votes to 3 to secure the rights. Indeed, when a 12-member delegation of British businesses visited Ghana to explore business opportunities associated with CAN 2008, Hon. Baah-Wiredu was so exemplary in the discussions to great success.

Again, there was this Italian Professor of Architecture who visited in relation with the CAN 2008 tournament to explore architectural design opportunities, he had visited the Castle then and was directed to see me: this Italian architect, unfortunately was so full of himself and became very bossy in his demands of the extent of preliminary work. I told him pointedly that we will have to go through local procurement processes before I can provide him with the details that he required; just at that moment, the late Hon. Minister entered the office where we were having the discussions. The Italian architect got up rudely to report me to the Minister and he only asked: “Is that what Mr. RexDanquah said?” and the gentleman replied in the affirmative. He just informed him, “RexDanquah is the person in charge of the CAN 2008 Project so just listen and act accordingly”. Such was the caliber of the late Hon. Baah-Wiredu.

There are so many other stories I could write about for good reason and it is to let the Minister-designate be mindful of what others like my kind will say about him after his tenure of office, as to how he comported himself as a Minister of State, irrespective of his age; that by his exploits, good or bad, will create opportunities for others of his age group.

The tasks before a Minister for Youth and Sports isn’t too complicated but most demanding because of the number of people, both friends foes, who would besiege his office and project personal interests or agendas as that akin to that of the nation or state, creating minefields even before he assumes office. As they say in Literature: “beware of the ‘Ides of March” as I have gone to great length to enumerate all these as a guide for your time in office as the Minister for Youth and Sports. If you focus on these issues, posterity will judge your tenure of office well.

At least, none of your predecessors had the opportunity of such an exercise before assumption of office, setting out such an AGENDA FOR GHANA SPORTS to inform what could be your priorities and how to engage the various stakeholders in the industry as well as enforce the line defined by the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) – lines between NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY (NSA) in terms of its roles and functions as against that of the MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS. Therein lies the roadmap for your success as the Minister for Youth and Sports.

My last article thus deals with the following issues: Sports for Academic Credits, Preparing Team Ghana for African Games 2023, Managing National Teams, MOYS Debt Management and the Regulations to be enacted under the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934).

PURSUE SPORT FOR ACADEMIC CREDITS AT ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

One of the LEGACIES that we had planned for winning the rights to host and organize the 13th African Games in 2023 was as stated in the PRESIDENTIAL FOREWORD for the Bid Document:

“We are also ready to leverage the GHANA 2023 Games to launch a national campaign by the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the theme: ‘STAY FIT AND HEALTHY, PLAY A GAME’ to market the games through all facets of our

national life as well as blend sports with academia by adopting the ‘SPORTS FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT’ programme for schools, colleges and tertiary institutions so that our sportsmen and women are better placed to marry their academic life with their continued participation in sports.” - HE NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO President of the Republic of Ghana

In the preparation of Ghana’s Bid Document for the 13th African Games, 2023 as the Bid Architect and Manager, we engaged three (3) tertiary institutions, namely the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as possible CO-GAMES VILLAGES for the participating athletes; and Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi as Co-Host Cities. This was premised on the best option for the management of facilities post-Games.

We met the Vice Chancellors of the three tertiary institutions and their respective Sports Directorates and Land Use Planning officers on possible spaces for the allocation of sports facilities as well as discussed the issues of Sports for Academic Credits as a motivating factor for strengthening the development of sports at the tertiary level.

It would be prudent that the Minister for Youth and Sports collaborates with his colleague Minister for Education to engage with the various Heads of Public & Private tertiary institutions in collaborations with the Ghana Universities Sports Associations (GUSA), Ghana Technical Universities Sports Association (GHATUSA), the Private Universities Student Sports Association of Ghana (PUSSAG) and the Colleges of Education Sports Association (COESA) – who are responsible for the athletes at the universities; and have the necessary ACCORDS executed.

It will also be necessary, once again, to engage the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) towards the evolution of a nationwide incentives regime at all the Senior High Schools (SHS) to promote sports in such a way that it will not disadvantage the athletes by playing any kind of sports at the expense of his academics.

I estimate that this exercise should be concluded by the end of the third quarter, month ending September 2021.

PREPARING TEAM GHANA FOR AFRICAN GAMES 2023

For some very personal reasons, I have sworn to myself not to comment on any matter to do with the hosting and organization of the 13th African Games scheduled for the month of September 2023. However, this does not take away my natural rights as a Ghanaian, more than passionate about Sports in the country.

I must confess, I have been more than fortunate to be associated at the top levels of the management of the SCSA Zone Football Championship hosted in 1986, the Ghana “99 African Football Youth Championship hosted in 1999, the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2008) and the 9th AfHF African Cup of Nations Hockey Championship hosted in 2009.

Funnily and after much work done on the concept of CO-HOSTING of major sporting events, including propagating the first thought of bidding for the rights to CO-HOST a FIFA WORLD CUP 20 years before (if you are in doubt ask Kwabena Yeboah, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana –SWAG as well as senior Nana Sam Brew-Butler, former Chairman of GFA, when he sought my consent to propose the idea of CO-HOSTING A CAF TOURNAMENT as in collaboration with the GFA), after leveraging my expertise for the lobbying to secure the rights to co-host the 2000 AFCON with Nigeria, I was asked by the then Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. E. T. Mensah to step aside. His reasons being that the then GFA objected to my inclusion on the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

My former Secretary during the 1999 Youth Championship and senior at School, was appointed to head the Secretariat. Truthfully, I never took such things personal but then remember that during the CAN 2008, I had a visit by Hon. E. T. Mensah and a friend at the LOC Secretariat and I thanked him for all the opportunities he gave me during his tenure at the Ministry, much to the annoyance of some personalities then. So I understand what happened with the 2023 African Games matters.

However, as a Ghanaian and as the consultant who knitted the YOUTH IN ELITE SPORT FOR GHANA stimulus package, executed between the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), I was placed in unique position to appeal to the YEA to consider a similar package for the TEAM GHANA to represent the host nation, Ghana at the 13th African Games in 2023 as motivation for them in their preparations to participate and excel in the over twenty-four (24) disciplines at the Games.

If care is not taken, we might end up as a nation that hosted the Games and flopped miserably at the Games, even as we strengthen the project management aspect of every aspect of the hosting and organization.

To this end, I would entreat the Hon. Minister to take this as one of his priorities for the second quarter, month ending June 2021 to have this sealed with another stimulus Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to motivate the selected members of the Team Ghana for all the competing disciplines.

MANAGING NATIONAL TEAMS

According to the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934), the functions of the National Sports Authority (NSA) include: (3)(d) – provide financial and other assistance to a team or person for the purpose of enabling that team or person to represent the Republic in international competitions in or outside the Republic; and then (3) (i) (i - v) -  in collaboration with the Ministry, ensure (i) the provision of necessary facilities required for building national teams; (ii) the provision of funds for the purpose of managing national teams; (iii) the submission of proposals on matters relating to the development and management of national teams; (iv) transparency and accountability in the development of national teams; and (v) that all moneys received by way of sponsorship, gifts and any other benefits for national teams are properly accounted for.

These portions of the Act define whose responsibility it is for the management of all national teams i.e. the National Sports Authority (NSA), the body charged with the responsibility of managing national teams of all disciplines.

Indeed, the years before Ghana’s qualification for the Black Stars to participate in the 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP in Germany and before the enactment of the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934), the norm was what had been captured in the Act, except that the entire responsibility for the financial management of the national FOOTBALL teams have been made the preserve of the Ministry. This is against the Act 934.

If for any reason, the Ministry desires to maintain the current financial management of the national FOOTBALL teams then the proper thing is to AMEND the Act to reflect same, otherwise back to the status quo ante. This decision should be made by the end of the second quarter of the month, June 2021.

MOYS DEBT MANAGEMENT

First, permit me to admit without knowing that I will expatiating purely from the point of some personal examples from the hugely successful hosting and organization of the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2008).

I was able to secure a sponsorship package of a fleet of VW vehicles – Touareg, Passat and Polo Sedan plus others of Toyota brand – Land Cruiser, Avensis, Corolla and Pick Up vehicles, which were used by the LOC Secretariat and these were returned to the Ministry after the submission of the Tournament Report.

I also, on my own volution, wrote to the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, late Van Lare Dorsoo, who incidentally was again, member of the LOC and Chairman of the Finance Committee for the BOG to conduct an Economic Impact Assessment of CAN 2008 on Ghana’s Economy.

What is most crucial to this topic is about ATTITUDES to things of the State and how manage resources of State placed under our care, management and authority.

At the end of CAN 2008, we had over a million dollar / Gh Cedis (remember it was GH₵0.90 to US$1.00 exchange rate then) in the LOC”s account of fund mobilization and this outstanding amount plus the vehicles were transferred to the Ministry’s without any inhibitions, whatsoever. This was because, it was the right and appropriate thing to do as a NATIONALIST. My staff at the LOC requested to purchase the vehicles they had used prior to the event, but I insisted and rather made an appeal to the Ministry, which was virtually refused whilst some of those vehicles were rather sold to the staff of the Ministry.

Indeed, I personally made myself available for all legally issues that arose till they were all resolved, bearing my own transportation for each appearance.

If I set these against the hosting and organization of the 11th Women’s AFCON that we had the privilege of hosting in 2018 and the fact that there are still suppliers owed two years plus after the tournament just isn’t good enough, especially where funds should have been made available by the end of the tournament to bring closure.

I am inclined to think that there has to be a new way of addressing these financial canker that has bedeviled the Ministry for some years now. If I am a Minister, I would demand quarterly returns, even as the Chief Director remains the CEO of the Ministry. This is with the full understanding and appreciation that the political head should always know the true state of affairs, even if by the quarter and this I would wish the Minister-designate would look at with some seriousness.

REGULATIONS TO BE ENACTED UNDER THE SPORTS ACT, 2016 (ACT 934)

In the last four years, there has been talk of licensing all commercial gyms to bring them online to operate within set standards as certified by the NSA to grade all those operating in the country and to ensure they are manned by qualified technical personnel, including physiotherapists.

There is also the issue of Article 29 (1) (a – m) which would require the special attention of the Minister and I know for a fact that some work had been done during the tenure of Hon. Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP as the then Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports with the engagement of a foreign consultant to assist the Ministry work on some of these sub-sections of the Act 934.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

I am not sure if you have been excited by the 5 – part AGENDA FOR GHANA SPORTS: Matters Arising, dear Hon. Minister - designate for Youth and Sports as I conclude and sincerely I am lost for approach and style as to how to end.

Do I end by recalling the issues I have raised in respect of the National Sport Policy, the National Sport Fund in the Part One or issues in Parts 2, 3 and 4 or even the Final Part 5?

What I am content with, for me, is the fact that for once in lifetime during the 40-years plus I have been associated with Ghana Sports either as the Editor of the award-winning SPORTS COIN; or as the Host of the GBC-TV program ‘SPORTS DIGEST’ for many years; or organizing the Annual Ohene Djan Memorial Lectures as a platform for sports development; acquiring the rights for the LIVE TELECAST OF 1992 EUROPEAN CUP OF NATIONS & BARCELONA OLYMPIAD in Ghana; organizing the Accra Biennial Football Expo; hosting the Annual Sports Sponsors Awards; the Annual Toyota’s Most Exciting Player Awards and sponsored by then Ghamot Company for over 15 years; organizing the Peugeot Champion of Champions Football Cup in 1992 and sponsored by SCOA Motors; organizing the SPORTS CONFERENCE ON ESTABLISHING GHANA SPORTS AS AN EMERGING INDUSTRY: Challenges & Prospects; and the Annual TOYOTA HOCKEY LEAGUE in Ghana, amongst several other initiatives; we are able as a nation to submit a set of issues as an AGENDA for a Minister-designate for Youth and Sports for the period 2021-2024.

If after his tenure of office by 2024, he would have achieved even 50% (fifty percent) of the issues raised by these publications, we would have made the mark to lift Ghana Sports to the next level of competing globally.

Thank you.

The President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Herbert Mensah has joined other world prominent personalities supporting the DoddieAid Challenge.

Sports stars across the globe have been sending out a call to action to aid them win the crown of the DoddieAid Champion.

Sporting stars including Jim Hamilton, Rory Lawson, Mark Beaumont and Andy Nicol are calling on people to join one of the five former Scottish inter districts in a mass participation fundraising exercise challenge.

Joining these top sports personalities in supporting the DoddieAid Challenge, Herbert Mensah posted a video on twitter explaining the Ghana Rugby Football Union readiness to support the event.

“Ghana Rugby is proud to support the DoddieAid Challenge….It’s a big challenge and we all need to support and we [Ghana Rugby] is really proud to support”, he said

About DoddieAid Challenge

The Doddie Aid Challenge is to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which started on January 1, 2020 running until the start of the 6 Nations on February 6, 2021.

To get involved, potential participants should go to www.doddieaid.com to find out how to join their chosen district and also get a free team snood. All exercise miles should then be recorded via a campaign-specific app from 1stJanuary.

Any form of exercise counts towards a district’s total on the leaderboard, from running to rollerblading, cycling to skiing or just adding up daily steps.

Throughout the event, the captains of each district will be busy signing other high-profile stars in a bid to boost their team’s efforts. Come 6th February the team which has logged the most collective miles will be crowned Doddie Aid Inter-District Champions.

Rob Wainwright commented: “Doddie Aid is an opportunity to burn off all that festive excess while supporting Doddie & his Foundation in their efforts to find effective treatments for MND.

As with anything involving Doddie, it has to be fun, and the management teams for the five districts are already playing dirty in their recruitment efforts.

“The eligibility rules have already courted controversy with captains attempting to poach stars from other districts.

“So you can tell the Exiles that Geraint Thomas is signing for the North & Midlands whatever his agent says to the contrary!”

Doddie Weir added: “Doddie AID! What better way to start 2021? The inter-district championship was a tremendous and highly competitive tournament; reigniting these tribal rivalries is a fantastic idea and I hope you all get involved and join The South – be part of a winning team! Wainwright wouldn’t even have made it onto the bench in our day.”

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Ghana’s World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global super bantamweight champion, Wasiru ‘Gyatabi’ Mohammed, has challenged all the champions in his division to face him in the ring.

The undefeated Wasiru whose nickname is “The Cub’ said he has has grown into a lion and was ready to contest all the titlists if only they are willing to offer him an opportunity.

The 24-year-old hard-hitting fighter is waiting to make his US debut after signing a promotional deal with American promoter, Cameron Dunkin, of D&D Boxing.

Wasiru is expected to fight on Showtime’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card per the contract and is looking forward to making a quick return in over a year since last destroying John Amuzu of Benin in January last year.

In an interview with the Graphic Sports, Wasiru said he was hopeful of putting himself up for a world championship fight by the close of the year under his new promoters.

“I’m ready to fight any of the champions in the division. I challenge any of them to give me a shot at their belt and I will prove to them what I am made of,” he dared.

“I hope they will be willing to offer me the opportunity. That is what I need to announce myself to the entire world and I believe the time will be soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr John Manfo, manager of Wasiru, was glad to have sealed a promotional deal for his boxer and described the collaboration with D&D Boxing as the best option available.

Mr Manfo disclosed that Wasiru’s subsequent fights would be held outside Ghana, with the US as the likely destination.

 “This is the time for him to showcase his talent to the world. I believe the promotional deal will really help make him a champion in the coming years.

“It was the best opportunity to have him fight on Showtime so I grabbed it. It’s just a matter of time for him to make his debut in the US,” he said.

Graphic Sports

Matters Arising (Part 4)

By Magnus RexDanquah

Land Economist, Sport Business Consultant, Bid Architect & Manager for CAN 2008 Tournament and 13th African Games Ghana 2023

OVER the first two parts of the AGENDA FOR GHANA SPORT (2021 – 2024), I have dealt with some outstanding issues of real importance, namely the Sustainable National Sport Fund, the National Sport Policy, Justification for the new Youth Resource Centres and Management of Existing Facilities & Sustainability.

The third part dealt with the Renaissance Plan (2019 – 2024), Rebranding Schools and Colleges Sport and Role of MMDAs in Grassroots Sport.

The final part 5 will deal with Managing National Teams, Pursuing Sport for Academic Credits at all Educational Institutions, Preparing Team Ghana for the African Games 2023, Debts Management in Sports, Regulations to be Enacted under the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) and Personal Pieces of Advice for the Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports.

The issues which this penultimate Agenda will discuss will include a New Impetus for the National Sports Authority, the Biannual National Sports Congress, Added Dimension for GFA”s Quest To Compute Football Contribution to the GDP and Engaging Tertiary Institutions to Synchronize their Sporting Calendars in One National Programme to Add Value For Sponsorship.

NEW IMPETUS FOR NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY

As one of the resource persons that the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports engaged prior to the passing of the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) at a retreat at the Accra City Hotel in December 2016. I have more than enough knowledge to question the Nation Sports Authority, if in my estimation they are not working up to the spirit and objectives of the Act.

Indeed, I have been part of several attempts by various Ministers of Youth and Sport since the days of Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah, then MP to the last when it was passed by Parliament, Hon. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, MP and former Minister for Youth and Sports on 16th December, 2016; and therefore more than conversant with the OBJECTS and FUNCTIONS of the NSA.

The OBJECT of the greatest interest to me (2)(c) “to encourage the private sector to contribute to the funding, development and promotion of sports”; and to achieve this and other objects, the NSA SHALL facilitate the organization of National Games; issue licenses in respect of matters relating to sports; ensure the development, establishment and management of public sporting facilities in the country; and encourage the private sector in the development and management of sports facilities in the country.”

The NSA SHALL furthermore “undertake research and development related to sports; promote, encourage and secure the adoption of policies of gender equity, equal opportunity and access to sports, child protection in sports and drug-free sports; and perform any other functions that are necessary for the attainment of the Objects of the Authority.”

The first four (4) years of the passage of the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) have been without any actions whatsoever from the NSA, whilst the Act does not also frown on positioning the PRIVATE SECTOR at the centre of some of the plans to achieve the attainment of the objects of incorporation. This means, nothing stops the NSA in partnering the private sector in the management of sports facilities in the country.

Whilst I accept the threats of the COVID – 19 Pandemic as most devastating on the organization and development of sports worldwide, Ghana inclusive, I want to believe the NSA could review their own FUNCTION AND OBJECTS OF INCORPORATION as under the Act and start working on a ROADMAP in collaboration with all sporting Federations and Associations so that by the end of the second quarter of the year, June 2021 these could be forwarded to the Ministry of Youth and Sport for action.

Again, the NSA should have a second look at the sources of Funds of the Authority towards maximizing the annual accumulation of funds for its operations, including soliciting professional consultations to grow this to enable it deliver its core mandate. It should also engage the MOYS for the early launch of the NATIONAL SPORT FUND as a complimentary source for some of its activities.

There is also the issue of AMBUSH MARKETING as part of the Miscellaneous Provisions, which deals with persons engaging in the act without written authorization of the organizer of a sporting event, that person broadcasts, displays, makes, publishes or televises any advertisement, communication statement, mark or image or to be broadcast, displayed, made, published or televised is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five thousand penalty units or not more than twenty thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years.

What I expect the NSA to engage themselves with on the Miscellaneous Provision on Ambush Marketing, is to engage all stakeholders on this and fashion out the way forward to their benefits – this engagement I would expect the NSA and the MOYS to host by the end of the first quarter of this year, March 2021.

For the purposes of those of us who are a might of lay people to question why Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC should cause the arrest of a supporter wearing a fake Club jersey, ambush marketing means the connecting by persons of their products with a particular sporting event or club, in the minds of potential customers, without the consent or awareness of the organizers of the event or club, in order to increase sales, gain media attention and publicity and without having to pay sponsorship for the event.

This, definitely, serves as a warning to all those interested in ambush marketing to be aware that this law is ready to bite and to sanitize the emerging national sport industry and I expect the MOYS in collaboration with the NSA to start this education campaign in earnest by the month of April, 2021.

However, another major portion of the function of the NSA is to assist the MOYS to make REGULATIONS to provide for licenses in respect of matters relating to sports and to provide for fees to be charged in relation to the licenses.

Indeed, under the Regulations, clause 29 of the Sports Act, there are quite a number of the Regulations I would expect the NSA through the MOYS to initiate and get passed on various issues like standards for the operation of sporting facilities, health safety standards at sports centres and facilities and the establishment and operation of sports academies before the end of the year, December 2021.

THE BI-ANNUAL NATIONAL SPORTS CONGRESS

I have had the opportunity to write and publish a whole article on “TOWARDS THE 1ST BIANNUAL SPORTS CONGRESS IN 2019…SETTING NEW AGENDA FOR GHANA SPORTS” in various media platforms including the Graphic Sports for a no-show by the National Sports Authority.

Unfortunately, the year 2021 should have seen the NSA hosting the 2ND EDITION of the Congress and build on the lapses of the maiden edition but this was not to be.

Because it is a SHALL part of the Act, I would be ready to go to the law courts for interpretation and determination to force the NSA under the MOYS to host and organize the 1st Biannual Sports Congress, 2021 by the end of the third quarter in September.

ADDED DIMENSION FOR GFA’S QUEST TO COMPUTE FOOTBALL CONTRIBUTION TO GDP

The Ghana Football Association (GFA, under the Presidency of Kurt E. S. Okraku, has expressed the desire to undertake the exercise of computing ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL’S CONTRIBUTION TO GHANA’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS (GDP), more than a worthy cause though, except I would advise that they are enjoined by all the other FEDERATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY and the MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS for the bigger picture – Ghana Sport Contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

The results of such an exercise will be of immense value to three (3) major stakeholders, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ghana Revenues Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) as well as go a long way to consolidate SPORT AS AN EMERGING INDUSTRY, backed by proper figures than the academic approach we have been touting for the past how many years.

I would thus entreat the GFA to approach the MOYS, the NSA, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), all the sporting Federations and Associations for a meeting to discuss the project, review cost implications and share these costs for the work to begin and be submitted by the end of second quarter, June 2021.

ENGAGING TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO SYNCHRONIZE THEIR SPORTING CALENDARS INTO NATIONAL PROGRAMME TO ADD VALUE FOR SPONSORSHIP

The way the Senior High Schools (SHS) have been structured for their duration by the number of years, i.e. three (3) years, it stands to reason that the supply of the best of talents for the various federations and associations would be at the tertiary levels.

Currently, these tertiary institutions group themselves differently to the extent that this has also affected their sports federations; more out of the fear that some institutions recruit mercenaries to represent their institutions. I don’t blame the skeptics one bit because we were in this country when a nice project of VALCO FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS turned into something else, even though in the long run it unearthed great talents for our national teams, to the shame of a number of prestigious secondary schools then.

However, the national interests would be better served, whilst the numbers would make their national sporting events more attractive for major sponsorships and thereby financially rewarding to the students.

The current stratified groupings are Ghana Universities Sports Associations (GUSA), Ghana Technical Universities Sports Association (GHATUSA), the Private Universities Student Sports Association of Ghana (PUSSAG) and the Colleges of Education Sports Association (COESA).

I am inclined to believe that if the MOYS in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) meet with these four (4) associations of tertiary institutions, there could be new ground rules to be evolved towards a common platform to showcase all their talents under on national tertiary games worthy of mention and where all national sporting federations could pick stars for continental and global games.

This could take the whole year of 2021 through delicate negotiations, involving Vice Chancellors and Presidents of Universities to reach a consensus in the supreme interest of our nation, Ghana.

This is the penultimate article on the series of Setting Agenda for Ghana Sports for the attention of the new Minister for Youth and Sports designate, Hon. Mustapha Ussir in the hope that he assume office with a proper agenda to execute than the normal merry-go-round.

Ghanaian winger Bernard Morrison won the top scorer award in the just concluded maiden Simba SC Super Cup Invitational tournament.

The hugely talented player scored two goals in two matches to help his side Simba SC win the trophy at stake.

His brace in the 4-1 win over Sudanese side Al Hilal earned him the award.

Morrison featured in Sunday's 0-0 draw with TP Mazembe to ensure the finished with four points.

The tournament had hosts Simba, TP Mazembe and Al-Hilal play in a round-robin exercise.

The tournament organized as part of Simba SC preparations for the 2020/21 CAF Champions League Group stage.

The Tanzanian side are in Group A alongside holders Al Ahly of Egypt, DR Congo side AS Vita and Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Algerian giants, ES Setif have unveiled their newest signing Daniel Lomotey.

Lomotey signed a three-year deal for ES Setif last Friday after a successful medicals.

He was unveiled to the media and supporters of the club at a press conference.

The 21-year old traveled from Ghana few days ago to sign for Tunisian side AS Soliman but the deal fell through.

But he has joined ES Setif on a reported $100,000 after the AS Soliman deal didn’t go through.

Daniel Lomotey was in a top form this season for WAFA SC and was tipped by many to be in the next Black Stars call-up.

The former WAFA SC attacker left the Ghana after week nine of the Ghana Premier League where he scored eight goals.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Matters Arising (Part 3)

By Magnus RexDanquah

Land Economist, SportBusiness Consultant, Bid Architect & Manager for CAN 2008 Tournament and 13th African Games Ghana 2023

The whole essence of the tasks I have set for myself is to outline those issues that should engage the undivided attention of the new Minister for Youth and Sports as soon as he is sworn into office after nomination by the President of the Republic for the period of 2021 to 2024.

Usually Ministers enter the first day of life, after Parliament approval and sworn in by H E the President of the Republic, to a baptismal fire-fighting instance like the favorite national team, the Black Stars billed to travel outside for an AFCON or FIFA WORLD CUP qualifier or otherwise a local one with the opposing team arriving the evening, then the interest groups descend to set the tone for the rest of his / her tenure of office. Then, there is the perennial issue of the outstanding salaries or contracts for the football coaches of the national teams, particularly the Black Stars.

However, if these series, by any chance possible, attract the next Minister’s attention for him to go through and be briefed appropriately on all the issues raised under the AGENDA FOR GHANA SPORT (2021 – 2024) and he stays long enough for the whole length of the term without suffering a reshuffle, then we would have achieved a change from the norm.

RENAISSANCE PLAN (2019 – 2024)

ONE major project envisaged as part of the campaign to win the bid to host and organize the 13th African Games, Ghana 2023 was to leverage the Games to restructure the organization, development, promotion and marketing of sport in Ghana as the base for launching a renaissance or initiating a transition, revival, renewal and rebirth into modern, contemporary modules, capable of uplifting Ghana into not only an African / continental sporting powerhouse but a competitive global brand.

The Renaissance Plan (2019 – 2024) was also intended as a centerpiece of the launch of the new National Sports Policy with set objectives, goals and targets for manpower, infrastructure, equipment and resources required to deliver the Plan.

As inputs for the Plan, all institutions and national sports federations, affiliated as well as in good standing with the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) were written to submit the following:-

(i)Copy of an existing SWOT Analysis performed by the Federation, indicating Business goals, listing number of existing clubs / teams and individuals with district / regional distribution;

(ii)Annual activities, both local and international, including participations in these major competitions;

(iii)District, regional and national sport programmes, with projected growth targets for clubs / teams, individual performers and volunteers associated with all sports;

(iv)Infrastructure requirements;

(v)Technical development plan and strategies for implementation, identifying categories of specialists, technical and support services;

(vi)Existing resources, including sponsorships, international grants and supports;

(vii)Resources needed to fulfill mandates, both local and international, including kits and equipment;

(viii)Plans for persons to be supported to vie for membership of committees of selected international federations and organizations such as the ANOCA, IOC and the World / Regional Anti-Doping (WADA);

(ix)Audited financial statements for at least past 3 years plus the last year; and

(x)Any existing business development and evaluation plan, if any.

Such an exercise, would to a large extent, assist in the overall computation of the contributions of sport to the gross domestic product (GDP). The determination of the annual contributions of sport to the GDP would definitely be a wake-up call for government and public service to begin to RE-THINK the re-positioning of sport in the configuration or re-configuration of Ghana’s economy.

As the lynch-pin in the packaging of the “YOUTH IN ELITE SPORT FOR GHANA” proposals for stimulus support from the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) for a thousand (1,000) sportsmen and women, I am inclined to think if we had had such a computation finalized for all the disciplines, it would have positioned the whole sport industry for a much better stimulus support.

The problem was more to do with the Associations / Federations’ readiness to provide the necessary data required to enable the Ministry work on finalizing the Renaissance Plan for adoption / ratification at the maiden BIANNUAL SPORTS CONGRESS.

The Biannual Sports Congress is an integral part of the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) and it is my thinking that if the National Sports Authority (NSA) fails to organize and host it this year, 2021, after its failure to organize in 2019, then there has to be a regime of sanctions applicable. I also tend to go with the second approach of getting the Parliamentary Select Committee of Parliament on Youth, Culture and Sports to summon the Hon. Minister, when he is confirmed and sworn-in into office and engage him on the matter.

To my mind, a possible third quarter of year, 2021 date in September could be agreed upon by the Parliamentary Select Committee, the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA) in partnership with all Federations and Associations, including the Ghana Paralympic Sports Federations to host the maiden BIANNUAL SPORTS CONGRESS for Ghana. It also means that the Renaissance Plan should also then be ready by the second quarter of the year, say June 2021 ending.

REBRANDING SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES SPORT

The existing SHS structure with its attendant age-groupings, who exit into our tertiary institutions, have brought to the fore the compulsive need for the Ministries of Education as well as Youth and Sports to host an extraordinary meeting on collaborating to develop and re-organize or REBRAND SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES SPORT, as the only viable option to secure the future of Ghana Sport.

Years ago, under the late Ohene Djan as the head of the Central Organization of Sports (COS) in charge of the organization and promotion of sports in Ghana with the direct patronage of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, schools and colleges sports, including tertiary, was the launching base for our dominance of sports in Africa, the Commonwealth and at the Olympics.

One key strategy was the formation of the ACADEMICALS – for talent identification, grooming, opportunities for participation in all local, national and international platforms to excel, including the award of scholarships and bursaries for talented athletes and footballers.

After the Ohene Djan era, two major personalities who also influenced the Schools and Colleges Sport were late Samuel A. Nelson, former Director, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Unit of Ghana Education Service (GES) and was also the Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Youth and Sports (1984 – 1991); and the late Katey Caesar, also of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and later the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association. Mr. Nelson was also the author of the book “Exercise And Health”, which he published in 1994.

Both men continued with the traditions of the INTERCO, the Inter-Colleges and Schools competition, which showcased great rivalries between known schools, especially within cities as well as regions for all disciplines of sports, including Cricket, Hockey, Football and Athletics. Thus there were great rivalries between Mfantsipim & Adisadel as well Mfantsipim & GSTS and Mfantsipim against Achimota – such was the intensity of these competitions like Opoku Ware against Prempeh or either against Mfantsipim or Adisadel or Achimota.

The issues devaluing the Schools and Colleges Sports, aside of the depth of indiscipline amongst the students, include the need to restructure this to fit into the new direction of a REBRAND, to attract big sponsors from the district to regional to national competitions all year round. It is also necessary for the changes that new academic limitations would enable the competitions and the requisite incentives that would be required for the exercise.

A MOYS Schools and Colleges Committee was set up to collaborate with the MOE and the GES to establish the parameters for the rebranding by the last Minister, however they could not meet to deliberate on the assignment, much more submit any required Report. To this end, it would be important to re-constitute a new Joint Committee to submit a Report by the end of the first quarter, March 2021. Their task should include mapping out the stock as well as state of sports infrastructure at all JHS and SHS and proffer a strategic plan that will support a remodeling of most of these facilities within a set time by 2024.

ROLE OF MMDAs IN GRASSROOTS SPORT

By the new Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies structure, there is supposed to be a sport desk within their administrative setups with a percentage of their allocations of the DACF (District Assemblies Common Fund), however with a loud disconnect with the regional and district offices of the National Sports Authority.

It is about time this disconnect is resolved to the best interest of Ghanaians.

MY thinking is that the Ministry should engage the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development towards working out the areas for collaboration to reposition SPORT within their development plans to include evolving a WIN – WIN synergy for talents identification, development as well as the use of SPORT for maximizing employment opportunities for their respective youth.