Black Stars and Ajax superstar, Mohammed Kudus has paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu while on a short holiday period in Ghana.

The Ghana international in the last summer transfer window sealed a sensational move from Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjaelland to the Dutch Eredivisie giants.

Following an explosive start to life in the Eredivisie, Mohammed Kudus would later suffer an injury setback on his Uefa Champions League debut in a game against Liverpool in October.

Since then, the forward has been out of action until recently when he started training.

While on a short holiday in Ghana, Kudus Mohammed has taken time to visit the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu to seek blessings from the revered Islamic leader.

The 20-year old has made significant progress in the treatment room and expected to return to action for Ajax in January 2021 when the Dutch Eredivisie resumes.

modernGhana

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi says he hopes to one day play in the United States but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out in June.

The Argentina forward, 33, can begin negotiations with overseas clubs in January.

Speculation over his future has been intense since he handed in a transfer request in August.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.

"I'm going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity.

"Right now the most important thing is to focus on the team and finish the season well, to focus on trying to win trophies and not get distracted by other things."

Barcelona, who did not win a trophy last season, are fifth in La Liga after their worst start to a league campaign in 33 years.

Since joining at the age of 13, Messi has become the club's record goalscorer, won 10 La Liga titles, the Champions League four times and the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the world's best player - six times.

His controversial summer request to leave Barcelona followed clashes with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October.

Messi described Bartomeu's reign "a disaster".

"It's a difficult moment for the club, for everyone, but those inside the club know that it's in a really bad situation, things are very bad and it's going to be difficult to return the club to where it used to be," he added.

By BBC

Lionel Messi has to score 448 more goals with Barcelona to break Pele's long-standing record, Santos say

Lionel Messi has not broken Pele's goalscoring record for a single club and will have to score 448 more Barcelona goals to do so, according to a Santos club statement.

Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona against Real Valladolid on Tuesday last week, seemingly eclipsing the Brazilian great's long-standing record of 643 official goals for Santos.

However, the South American club released a statement on Sunday claiming the official tally stands at 1,091 goals, as the 448 scored in friendly matches should be counted.

Santos claim that "a goal against Transvaal (from Suriname) has the same value as a goal scored at Real Madrid, in the middle of the Santiago Bernabéu".

"In the accounts of the specialized press, the King of Football scored 643 in competitions and the 448 goals scored in matches and friendly competitions were ostracized as if they had less value than the others," the statement read.

"The argument of some analysts is that so many of these 448 goals scored in friendly matches were faced with weak opponents, such as small or regional teams. Even so, the matches were played in official uniforms, with the official rules of the game and with a score sheet.

"We have to remember that clubs could only play friendly matches with the endorsement of regional and national federations, one of the rules imposed by FIFA, the organizer of world football.

"Taking subjective attributes into account, such as the weakness of opponents, is not ideal for compiling statistical data. The numbers are absolute."

Despite the debate over who holds the current record, Pele posted on social media to congratulate the Argentine when he matched his tally with a goal against Valencia earlier this month.

"When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path," Pele wrote.

"Like you, I know what it's like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home.

"Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona. Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately, will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much."

Lionel Messi has revealed he will make a decision over his Barcelona future at the end of the season.

Messi came close to departing the Nou Camp after handing in a transfer request in the summer but he reluctantly decided to stay at the club. Barcelona's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted that Messi's €700m release clause had to be met for him to leave.

His comments, given in an interview with Spanish TV station La Sexta, could alert Manchester City, who were heavily linked with a move for the player during his summer of uncertainty.

Messi said: "Nothing will be crystal clear before the end of the year. I'll wait until the season is over."

skysports   

Najat Norley Lokko, an 11 year pupil of Happy Days Academy at James Town was adjudged the best female boxer at the exciting and well organized Besesaka Amateur and Juvenile Boxing Tournament at the Bukom Square on Boxing Day December 26, 2020.

Fighting on the weight of 39kg, she defeated all her opponents and emerged as the Best in her category, she did not only win but displayed real boxing artistry and mastery footwork.

She was presented with prizes including a trophy and products from Twellium Industrial Ltd Ghana, producers of Rush Energy and other drinks.

With reading and cooking as her hobbies, one may ask how she became a boxer.

But her dad, Coach Carl Lokko will be the best person to answer, and he says it is in the blood.

According to Lokko all his children love boxing and she, the second born is taking the footsteps of her darling senior brother Hakeem Lokko who is 13 years and one of the marvelous juvenile boxers in Ghana.

After three years training in boxing, she has already winning awards, and the father is so happy.

He said his daughter combines education with sports and at her leisure time, she reads or watches something educative on TV.

He hinted that if she continues to impress and progress, she would be prepared for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Incidentally, Rahaman Nortei Lokko, the third child of the hard working coach also has love for boxing.

For Carl Lokko who is Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) it goes beyond family, as so many people and personalities with positive spirit are behind the world acclaimed Bronx Boxing Gym Empire.

He expressed that the future is very important and bright, so life must be made better now.

He appealed to people with interest in boxing and corporate Ghana to support the Bronx Gym which has produced world champions hand currently handle over 70 boxers; professionals, amateurs and juveniles.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

 Brazilian midfielder, Fabio Dos Santos Gama played his first competitive match  for Asante Kotoko on Sunday afternoon when they drew 1-1 with Medeama SC in the Ghana Premier League at the Akoon Park at Tarkwa to clear an outstanding match.

Prior to the start of the game, Asante Kotoko interim coach Johnson Smith named new signing Fabio Gama on the substitute bench.

In the second half of the encounter, the Brazilian was introduced to take the place of attacker Godfred Asiamah in the 81st minute.

Playing a cameo role, Fabio Gama made some decent touches but couldn’t have enough time to influence the game.

On the matchday, striker Kwame Poku scored for Asante Kotoko in the 75th minute before a late penalty converted by Mohammed Abass earned a point for Medeama SC at the end of the game.

With his debut finally out of the way, Fabio Gama is expected to be in action for the Porcupine Warriors in their next outing when they take on Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League.

From Lizzy Alhassan

Super Featherweight, Seidu Issufu Yusuf of Akotoku Academy has fought twice as a professional boxer and won all,

His last fight was against Joshua Owusu at the Idrowhyt Events Centre on Boxing Day, December 26, 2020 where his power punch nearly sent his opponent to the hospital.

Doctors at the ringside had to work hard to revive Owusu who for a moment did not know where he was.

Seidu left the amateur ranks to join the professionals because he felt time was against him, and he must win a big title in the shortest possible time.

He was discovered by scouts of the Akotoko Academy, led by Theo Edwin Addo now based in Australia and they are grooming him to stardom.

He is currently taking instructions from young trainer, Elvis Robertson who says Seidu is a potential champion, so they are keeping their eyes on him, and hope he gets the opportunity to reach the top of his career.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Besasaka Boxig projects led by Samuel Plange of the Sea View Boxing Club on December 26, 2020 staged an amateur boxing tournament at the Bukom Sports Field in Accra.

The project featured mostly juvenile boxers and those wearing the gloves to box in public for the first time.

The task is to identify and discover new boxing talents for the nation.

Many budding young male and female boxers took part and the patronage was very high.

President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, George Lamptey expressed his satisfaction with the programme and commended the organisers.

He announced the appointment of Duke Micah as an ambassador of amateur boxing having participated in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Tokyo 2020 bound Samuel Takyi was also introduced to the fans.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Young towering heavyweight boxer Ishmeal Djan was featured on the Boxing Day Rumble at the Idrowhyt Events Centre at Dansoman and after winning his third professional bout against Richard Ashong, he announced himself to the world of boxing.

In an interview ring announcer Mohammed Amin Lamptey, he explained that his nick name is to put opponents to sleep, hence his inscription on his dress.

Ishmael Djan weighs 250 pounds and his target is the world title.

Because he failed to join the Ghana Armed Forces on two occasions, he decided to do sports and boxing was his choice.

He is registered at the Black Panthers Boxing Gym at James Town and every blessed day he learns a new thing.

He is managed by B.J. Wise and they want to prove that a Ghanaian can win the world heavyweight title.

His idols and best boxers are Mohammed Ali and Tyson Fury.

According to him, he is into the game of boxing as a beginner and hopes to become one o best boxers.

“My goal is to became famous and rich in boxing and we are are getting there gradually” he told Yours Truly.

His dream is to meet the best in the world of boxing, like Floyd Mayweather, Oscar Dela Hoya, Anthony Joshua, Bob Arum and he believes it will come to pass.

He thanked Cabic Promotions, Box Office and Aborigines Promotions for giving him the platform on Boxing Day Rumble at Idrowhyt Events Centre.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

William Amponsah, a 21-year-old student of the University of Education, Winneba has won the maiden edition of the Sekondi-Takoradi Marathon held on Boxing Day.

Amponsah, officially now holds the new record for 21km in Ghana having clocked a time of 1:02:51 to win the ultimate GHC 10,000 cash prize as well some goodies from sponsors.

Afaylar Samuel, a student from the University of Cape Coast placed second taking home a GHC5,000 cash prize while Ishmael Arthur, a military officer took home GHC3000 cash prize having placed third.

Speaking to the media after setting the new national record, Amponsah was elated to have broken his previous personal best (1:04:38) to achieve this new milestone and hopes for a better future in his long-distance running career.

The race was keenly contested especially with Kenyans, Ivorians coming in but my target was to win the race and am glad I finally did and in an impressive way.

"The era of Covid-19 has really been challenging for long-distance runners but we grateful to the organisers for such an event," he said.

The female race, on the other hand, was won by 16-year-old Belinda Sergbor who also won GHC 10,000 cash prize followed by Sherrifa Moro who placed second (GHC5000) while Babulweri Felicia took home GHC3000 third position cash prize.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Western Regional Minister, was excited with the successful organisation of the maiden edition of the Marathon and was hopeful about it being one of the biggest long distances running events in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"We believe that the best way showcasing Sekondi-Takoradi to the world is by organising such marathons because all the big cities in the world can be associated with big marathons, you can talk of London Marathon, Boston Marathon, among Others.

"This year's event did attract some few foreign nationals but next year we expecting over 1000 athletes from all over the world and it would certainly be bigger," he said.

The maiden edition of Sekondi-Takoradi Marathon was organised by Medivents Consults in collaboration with the Western Regional Coordinating Council and sponsored by Cowbell, The Inquisitor, GOIL, Acqua-Blue, GNPC Foundation, Ghana Gas, Africa World Airlines, Best Western Plus, Mybet. Africa, among others.

GNA

The Idrowhyt Events Centre at Akukor Foto, Dansoman offered a unique serene and exciting atmosphere on December 26 as they staged their first boxing show dubbed “Boxing Day Rumble” with a few special guests and VVIPs in attendance.

Former IBF, IBO Bantamweight Champion of the world, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko was on the bill to boast the Ghana Boxing brand and he displayed marvelously to the admiration of all present.

Agbeko, 41, (38-5-0) dismissed experienced Albert Commey with a round 5 KO in their Super Flyweight contest to announce his preparation for another crack at a world title.

The package put up by Cabic Promotions in collaboration with Box Office and Aborigines Promotions saw former WBO Africa Super Welterweight Champion, Patrick Allotey overwhelming Voltarian Victus Kemavor to force his corner to throw in the towel in the second round.

Improved Emmanuel Quaye, also from the stable of Cabic took out Raymond Ansah in the third round of their Super Welterweight bout

An exciting super featherweight contest between Issufu Yusuf of Akotoku Academy and Joshua Owusu saw the latter who bragged at the weigh in going down via a R3 knock out and had to be revived by the medics.

In the heavyweight contest, Richard Ashong could not stand the powerful punches of young but big Ismael Djan who has warned all the heavyweight boxers in Ghana and Africa that he is coming with a bang to put opponents into deep sleep.

 Gabriel Coffie also beat Godwin Kofi Appiah in a lightweight contest.

Peter Zwennes, President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) who watched the bouts expressed his joy that boxing is back after is was put on the ropes by the Covid-19.

He commended the promoters who came together to organised the bill, and urged the boxers to take good care of themselves.

Messrs. Ivan Bruce Cudjoe and Ellis Quaye, CEO and Director of Cabic Promotions said they want to take Ghana Boxing to higher levels and win more world titles for the nation. They expressed interest in young disciplined boxers and hoped to put up more shows at the Idrowhyt Events Centre.

Mr. Gideon Oyiadzo aka Jingles, Operations Manager at Idrowhyt said they have more entertainment and sports packages for guests. He commended the media, especially GTV Sports Plus and portals who showed the fights live.

The Boxing Day Rumble was sponsored by Idrowhyt Events Center, Travel Matters and Grey Stone Bistro.

From Sammy Heywood Okine