Mr. Isaac Koomson, the Deputy General Manager of the Ghana Premier League Club, Aduana Stars FC is one of the three candidates seeking the mandate of delegates to lead the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), for the next four years.

Mr. Koomson, who is not a novice in the football fraternity would be relying on his rich experience in football administration to convince delegates to choose him ahead of the incumbent Mr. Kudjo Fianoo, come January 21, 2021.

Mr. Koomson, who is a Detective Inspector of Police, was once the Vice Chairman of the GHALCA, and holds a Degree in Tourism and Marketing from the University of Cape Coast is seeking another opportunity to lead the Association after losing in the last elections to the incumbent.

However, he would not only have Mr. Fianoo to contend with for the Chairmanship Position but this time around with another candidate Mr. Alex Ackumey who is the current Vice Chairman of GHALCA.

He is of the firm conviction that he would come to the office with a high sense of integrity and humility that spans from almost 20 years of service to the football industry.

The aspiring Chairman has held various positions and served on committees in Ghana Football Association (GFA) and GHALCA and this gives him extra quality to lead the welfare body of football in Ghana.

Notable among them includes Vice-Chairman of GHALCA, Vice Chairman of Safety and Security Committee of GFA, Chairman of the GHALCA Top Six Tournament held in Sekondi and also the Deputy CEO of Gamba All Blacks and the Operations Manager of Accra Great Olympics as well as the Head of Security for Medeama’s Africa campaign.

Mr. Koomson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Tourism and Marketing from University of Cape Coast.

NewsGhana

Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) chairman Kudjoe Fianoo has revealed his policy document as he seeks a second term bid.

The former Ghana FA Executive Council member has been touting his achievements in the last four years which was largely rocked by two misfortunes - the Anas expose and Covid-19 pandemic.

In the midst of the major stumbling blocks, his tenure demonstrated leadership by spearheading financial assistance to clubs during the pandemic.

Mr. Fianoo has detailed his achievements and vision for the welfare body if he re-elected for a second term.

Below his Kudjoe Fianoo’s game-changing policy document for the elections:

Introduction As we prepare to go to the polls to elect new officers to steer the affairs of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), it is imperative to give a brief account of my stewardship and also give an insight into my plans for the Association if l am given the nod by members.

Refurbishment of GHALCA Secretariat

Upon assumption of office, my administration swiftly implemented a policy of retooling and refurbishing the Secretariat to bring it to appreciable working level. Today, the GHALCA Secretariat boasts of a more professional outlook. It is work in progress as the implementation of this policy shall continue -God willing- in my next administration to ensure that the Secretariat maintains and improves its standards and working environment.2. Improved Competitions GHALCA under my leadership launched an innovative version of the annual "President's Cup." This innovation saw the revival of regional local derbies across the country. It also saw the hosting of the grand final game between Hearts Of Oak and Asante Kotoko - for the first time in the history of this organisation outside the capital, Accra.

Under my leadership, the hitherto Top 4 Competition was expanded to G6 to accommodate the Champion and Runner-Up of the FA Cup. The G6 Competition was eventually expanded to G8 to give opportunities to newly promoted clubs from Division One, to test their wits and prepare adequately ahead of their campaigns in the Elite Division. It is gratifying to note that Dawu-based Dreams FC (then a Division One Club) won the maiden edition of the tournament.

Normalisation Era

GHALCA played a leading role during the period of Normalisation of Ghana football. The football fraternity converged under the umbrella of this Association to convey its grievances and views on issues to relevant authorities. GHALCA, under my leadership during this period, became the sole mouthpiece and conveyor vehicle for the football fraternity to communicate its views mainly to the Normalisation Committee, the Sports Ministry, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports and the Presidency. It will be recalled that GHALCA was the body that stood in for Clubs when the Normalisation Committee threatened to withdraw the NC Competition over disagreements with members. GHALCA was also the vehicle used to get alternative views of the football fraternity considered during the formulation of the new Statutes of the Ghana Football Association. COVID-19 Relief Package

Through the critical support offered by the GHALCA Executives to the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, the football fraternity was able to present a good and convincing case to solicit financial support from Government to mitigate the biting effects occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support from Government, Premier League Clubs are to benefit from a financial support of GHc100,000 each, of which the first half of GHc50,000 has already been paid. Efforts are still ongoing to secure some support for clubs in the Division One League.It will be recalled that through this effective relationship between GHALCA and the GFA, the National Youth Authority (NYA) for the first time in the history of Ghana football announced and have been implementing a financial support package for players in the Women's Premier League.

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) was set up primarily to seek the welfare of clubs in Ghana. This vision has manifested in various ways over the years. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in the present day has presented new challenges for Clubs around the world. The current situation, especially in Ghana warrants a larger focus on the welfare of Clubs and this is exactly what is going to be the focal point of my next administration as Chairman of GHALCA. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Forming A Strong Advocacy Group

The next GHALCA Administration under my leadership will set up a serious Advocacy Group which will bring together experts in various fields of interests and expertise that will engage key stakeholders such as the relevant Government agencies and Corporate Ghana in securing tailored-measured products for clubs. Areas of focus here include, but not limited to how to secure permanent direct Government support, banking and pension schemes, corporate and infrastructural support.Government

One of the proposals my next administration intends to pursue vigorously is to engage the relevant Government agencies in reviewing the tax regimes imposed on football clubs especially in areas of gate proceeds and import duties. One very direct relief the State can offer especially in this COVID-19 pandemic era is to help ease the financial burden on clubs occasioned by the regular 17.5% imposed on sale of tickets for matches as tax and also the exorbitant charges in duties for the importation of sports equipment. It is my strong belief that this serious Advocacy Group will present to the relevant bodies a very unique and workable alternative that will ultimately boost revenue for the State.Government Infrastructure

My Executive will also engage agencies of State-owned facilities especially with the construction of the multipurpose sports facilities across all the Regions of Ghana to make them compliant with International Club Licensing Requirements and also to engage on structured and mutually beneficial modalities on their use. This is also another way of the State's direct support and investment in Clubs. It is however very important to have standardised and mutually beneficial procedures in the use of these facilities to ensure maximum benefits are derived for all stakeholders.Corporate Engagements

One very critical task my Executive will execute is to look to make a strong case to targeted corporate institutions such as banks, insurance and pension scheme providers in formulating specific products that cater and satisfy the unique needs and challenges of our members. Discussions with the banks for instance can hover around securing industry-friendly facilities for our members that take into account the distinctive nature of the businesses of members. Insurance companies will also be engaged to formulate specific packages and products for Clubs, just as pertains with life, business and motor policies. The aim of my next Administration is also to secure the future of our member's Clubs and their employees by securing, once again, industry-specific products from pension scheme operators that consider and address the peculiar needs of our industry. This Advocacy Group will also explore possibilities of securing mutually beneficial partnerships with corporate bodies for the benefit of our members. International Partnerships

It is imperative for the next GHALCA administration to think outside the box by seeking external cooperations, mainly with International Clubs Associations. We intend to tap into the vast experience and expertise of well-established League Clubs Associations across the globe for the benefit of our members, especially in the area of education and capacity building programs and also in areas of technological and infrastructural enhancements.This will be achieved through negotiations and securing of International Cooperation Agreements with International League Clubs Associations. These agreements will incorporate modules such as exchange programs, education, capacity building and technological advancements and also infrastructural and logistical development. We intend to leverage on our effective and cordial relationship with the Ghana Football Association to spearhead this agenda of securing International Cooperation. Relevance Of GHALCA

My next administration shall introduce structures to make the Association relevant and attractive to its members. We shall rebrand the Association to make members proud to belong to. To achieve this goal, a holistic look will be taken at our Constitution which was last reviewed comprehensively almost a decade ago.

Our annual Congresses are no longer going to be mere talk shops. At the end of every Congress, resolutions and communique will be passed to the relevant authorities for redress.

Admission Of Women Football Clubs Into GHALCA One of the highlights of my next administration is to formalize the admission of Women Football Clubs into the Association.

Seventy-three Women’s Premier League referees and assistant referees are currently training at the Ghanaian Centre of Excellence at Prampram ahead of the start of the Women’s Premier League.

The training, which began on Tuesday, January 12, will end on Thursday, January 14, 2021. The list includes forty-one (41) centre referees and thirty-two (32) assistant referees.

Participants are being taken through Technical, Integrity and CMS training as part of the build up to the 2020/21 Women’s Premier League season.

The referees will also undergo the mandatory COVID-19 test as part of the protocols for the new Women’s Premier League campaign which kicks off on Saturday, January 16, 2021.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Ex Black Stars goalkeeper, Richard Kingston is back at Accra Great Olympics as their goalkeeper's trainer.

The former Blackpool shot-stopper joined the Wonder Club on Wednesday at the La McDan Park and took the goalkeepers through some training.

He has the task of improving the performance of the goalkeepers.

Kingston joins the backroom staff of Yaw Preko who is now the interim manager of the club.

Preko, who was named as the interim coach of the club on Monday.

Annor Walker, who is the head coach of the side has not been in the dugout for the past weeks. The club has, however, confirmed that the veteran is on sick leave.

As Footballghana.com reported, Walker doesn't look likely to the club as the head coach of the club.

Preko is assisted by a former player of the club, Godwin Attram.

Kingston is also a former player of the club playing from 1995 to 1996 before joining Turkish SuperLig side Galatasaray S.K.

Footballghana.com

Ghana’s Skeleton athlete, Akwasi Frimpong finishes ahead of competitors from Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark , Czech Republic, and Bulgaria in his first race of the 2020/2021 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation season. Frimpong finished 24th out of 31 international athletes.

Akwasi Frimpong raced through pain and delivered for Ghana! It was the first time Ghana was represented in a Europa Cup skeleton competition. Frimpong suffered a bad crash three days before the race and could hardly walk. Following the recommendations of doctors, he took a day off from training.  That meant Frimpong only had five runs under his belt from the top of one of the most challenging ice tracks in the world in Altenberg, Germany. However, on race day Frimpong set a personal best on the Altenberg track by more than 2 seconds.

“Great to be competing against athletes from nations across the world. Excited to heal up my foot and race again in 3 days,” Frimpong said. “Thank you team Russia, IBSF, Germany and my partners Forever Living, Ghana Gas, Murdock Hyundai and the Ghana Olympic Committee and everyone out there that prayed for me so I could start with my sore ankle.”

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The  death has been reported of Mr.Henri Wientjes in his home country, Netherlands on Tuesday, January 6, 2021.

He was also the Founder and Executive Chairman of African Tiger Holding and its subsidiaries including Cocoa From Ghana who supported Ghana to the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

He personally had interest in Ghanaian sportsmen like Ignatius Gaisah and Akwasi Frimpong.

The Dutchman has been the main brain behind the success of WAFA Football Academy in the last few years, making them a formidable side in the Ghana Premier League.

The club took to Twitter to announce the death of Mr. Henri Wientjes

“BEREAVEMENT: It is with regret that we announce the death of #WAFAcademySC owner, Mr. H. J. M. Wientjes.”

“Details for a memorial service will be announced later.”

"Sympathizers can sign a book of condolence at the Accra office of ATHL every weekday from 8.00am to 5.00 pm," the statement added.

Meanwhile, popular Marketing Consultant Joost Bellaart for Henri Wientjes has also passed on December 29, 2020.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Samuel Takyi (middle) with Coach Kwasi Ofori Asare (left) and his deputy, Coach Akai Nettey

The national amateur boxing team, Black Bombers, have commenced a non-residential training camp at the Accra Stadium aimed at putting athletes in shape ahead of the Olympic Games in July.

According to handlers of the Black Bombers, boxers are required to train with the team in the morning before training with their boxing clubs for the evening sessions.

The team started training last Monday following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions by government with the yet to qualify amateurs looking forward to their final qualifier in France.

However, the two qualified boxers, Sulemanu Tetteh and Samuel Takyi, have begun preparations towards making a significant impact at the Olympics which starts on July 23 in Tokyo.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, trainer of the Black Bombers, Kwasi Ofori Asare, is optimistic the team will be in shape for the commencement of the global competition.

Coach Asare explained that the boxers were training hard to make a name for themselves at the games and believes the COVID-19 break will not affect their performance.

 “We started a non-residential training camp on Monday and the boxers are doing really well,” Coach Asare told the Daily Graphic. “I realised that they were not affected by the break due to the COVID-19 and they are looking good.

“The focus now is to take the other fighters to their final qualifier in France as well as prepare the qualified athletes for the Olympics,” he added.

Ghana will be looking forward to win its fourth Olympic medal in Tokyo when they join the rest of the world to compete for honours in Tokyo.

Source - GraphicSports

Madam Elizabeth King, Chairperson of the Ghana Olympic Committee’s Women In Sports Commission (WSC) has called for an accident free and successful 2020/2021 Women’s Premier League (WPL).

She said when the passion of the nation was coming back, all of a sudden the serious Covid-19 Pandemic set in to halt or postpone sports programmes all over the world including the 2020 Olympic Games, which the Black Queens sadly failed to qualify.

Madam King who is the Vice President of the Ghana Hockey Association and executive member of the African and World bodies controlling hockey said as the mother of all sports women in Ghana, she has to first caution that the Pandemic is still in the system and people should practice the restrictions, despite the go ahead by the government that stadia can take 25% of the capacity.

In her message on the resumption of the WPL, she advised all the premier division football players to be disciplined and demonstrate sportsmanship for their colleague in the lower divisions and other disciplines to learn.

She also appealed to the referees to be fair in their decisions and allow the game to flow to attract more spectatorship, especially more girls, boys and men.

She observed that the media has increased their tempo for promotion of the WPL and urged them to continue.

She said Ghana Sports can be better with a positive and vibrate media who support female activities and programmes.

Madam King also commended the organisers of the Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) / Ghana Tennis Foundation (GTF) Ladies Challenge Series 2021 currently going on from January 11^th  to 16^th at the National Tennis Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium.

She expressed that since the Coronavirus outbreak, the GTF has been able to support the organization of several tournaments which is very positive for the youth and rising stars.

She was hopeful that her favourite sport, hockey will also return in style. “I am sure our players are also preparing for their competitions” she stressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Elmina Sea Lions winger Emelia Lokko says she is praying and hoping for a successful and valuable league season 2020/ 2021.

“I want to shine in the league, I want to play well and win the most valuable player, I want my club to be the best” she told Yours Truly in an interview before the commencement of the Women’s Premier League.

She said they are coming into every match with the positive mind and winning attitude, so all the teams should beware.

Now spotting the number 4 jersey for Sea Lions she is very optimistic that they will shine and be rated among the best teams.

She thanked the technical and management staff of Sea Lions for believing in the current players, and appealed to the people of Elmina and surrounding areas including Cape Coast and Sekondi / Takoradi to support them.

The member of the Airtel Rising Stars says she is looking forward to join the national female football teams as her aim in football is to represent Ghana and win a trophy

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Naomi Osaka’s rapid ascent to success as a tennis champion has been, it’s safe to say, stratospheric. Only qualifying to enter her first Grand Slam tournament in 2016, within two years, the Japanese-American player had won both the U.S. Open and the Australian Open; in 2020, she became the highest-earning female athlete in the world.

Her trajectory as an up-and-coming style star has been thrilling to watch as well. Not only is there her willingness to push the boundaries with fashion off the court—just take her collaboration with the Japanese label ADEAM at New York Fashion Week last spring—but also her use of style to embrace and celebrate her heritage, paying tribute to her Haitian roots by wearing everything from kente head wraps to Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss. Finally, there is her keen instinct for fashion as a means of activism: As just one example, for her appearance at last year’s U.S. Open, where she won her third Grand Slam title, Osaka wore a series of protective face masks powerfully honoring Black victims of police brutality.

And today, Naomi Osaka is debuting her first campaign with a luxury fashion house: Louis Vuitton. For the brand’s spring 2021 campaign, shot by creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, Osaka wears a playful, kaleidoscopic minidress that feels perfectly in keeping with the tennis pro’s love for bold color and print. It also marks the beginning of Osaka’s new and ongoing role as an ambassador for the house, with further collaborative projects in the pipeline.

“Aside from tennis, my most treasured passion is fashion, and there is no brand more iconic than Louis Vuitton,” says Osaka. “It is such an honor to work with Nicolas—he’s a designer I admire so much and we share a mutual love of Japanese culture and style. To become a global brand ambassador is truly a dream come true for me.” Clearly, the feeling is mutual. In Ghesquière’s words: “Naomi is an exceptional woman who represents her generation and is also a role model for everyone. Her career and convictions are inspiring. I am in awe of Naomi, she stays true to herself and doesn’t compromise on her values.”

While Osaka’s taste for wearing agenda-setting labels has spanned the likes of Comme des Garçons and Sacai in the past, she first wore Louis Vuitton for her appearance on the cover of Vogue’s January issue, which debuted last month. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz against a backdrop of blue sky and swirling clouds, the tennis champion’s asymmetric Louis Vuitton slip dress served as a stunning reminder that her approach to style is just as fierce as her conduct on the court. With a new chapter as an ambassador for the storied French fashion house, it seems Osaka’s style journey is just getting started.

By Vogue