For going into his opponents back-yard to win by spectacular knockout and win the Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) Africa Light Heavyweight title, makes Nigerian Idowu Rasheed the April 2024 UBO Boxer of the Month.

A heavy underdog, Rasheed blitzed experienced Ghanaian Bastie Samir (20-1-1) in the second round, on April 13 at the Decathlon Ghana in Accra, scoring one knock-down with a left hook before finishing Samir with a second left hook shortly after.

Now 6-1-1 (6), the hard-punching 25-year-old turned professional in August of 2021. The fight in Accra was his first outside Nigeria as a pro, and his first championship fight. Its safe to say, he didn't let the opportunity go to waste.

Unfortunately the fight was surrounded by controversy when it was at first declared a Technical Draw due to a wrongly-called illegal punch, but the result was quickly overturned and Rasheed officially declared the rightful winner and UBO champion.

Very fittingly, he will be presented with the UBO championship belt today, May 1, at a press-conference at the offices of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control in Lagos.

Source UBO

Stanley Nyantekyi aka the ‘Ashanti Warrior’ in Boxing circles has received the sports personality of the year award at this year’s Golden Age Business and Creative Art Award 23 ceremony.

Ghana Biggest Award for Business, Entrepreneurs and Creative Art Awards to celebrate individual Workers or Creative who have excelled in their line of Work was held on1st of May at the plush La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.

Mr. Gordon Frimpong aka Osibor, manager of Nyantekyi said he was happy for the recognition and reward.

He urged the Ashanti Warrior to train hard and win the world title.

According to Mr. Frimpong other boxers are training seriously in the gyms and advised them not to lose hope, but keep on training as the fight night can come when one is not prepared.

He commended Bronx Boxing Gym for training the boxers with the advanced and international methods.

Stanley Nyantekyi thanked God for the favour and blessings upon him. He promised to intensify his training and realise his dream of becoming a world champion.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s women claim table tennis silver at West Africa Championships

Ghana impressed at the 2024 ITTF West Africa Regional Championships, with both Borteye and Baah-Danso reaching the women's singles semi-finals, while Borquaye progressed to the quarter-finals

Ghana’s women’s table tennis team secured a well-deserved silver medal at the 2024 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) West Africa Regional Championships held in Lomé, Togo, from 25 April to 27 April.

The team, comprising Cynthia Kwabi, Joanita Borteye, Blessing Labanti, Bernice Borquaye and Celia Baah-Danso, dominated Group 2, defeating Benin, Togo, and Guinea to advance to the semi-finals.

Their dominance continued in the knockout stages, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Côte d’Ivoire. Borteye, Kwabi and Baah-Danso all secured straight-set wins against their Ivorian counterparts.

However, the final against Nigeria proved a sterner test. Despite a valiant effort from Borteye, who secured Ghana’s sole win in the final, Nigeria’s Hope Udoaka ultimately emerged victorious, clinching gold for her team.

Ghana’s impressive showing extends beyond the team event. Both Borteye and Baah-Danso reached the women’s singles semi-finals, while Borquaye progressed to the quarter-finals. The men’s team, featuring James Marfo, Michael Yeboah, Israel Aklie, Samuel Akayade and Emmanuel Commey, also reached the semi-finals before being halted by eventual champions Togo.

By Leroy Hawkson

Nsoatreman FC, Legon Cities FC, and Bofoakwa Tano FC have already secured their places in the semi-finals

The outstanding spot in the MTN FA Cup semi-finals will be decided on Thursday, 2nd May 2024, as Dreams FC and Soccer Intellectuals FC finally contest their rescheduled quarter-final match.

The clash was postponed due to Dreams FC’s commitments in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Ajumako-based Division One League side, Soccer Intellectuals will travel to the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu to challenge the defending FA Cup champions for a spot in the competition’s final four.

Nsoatreman FC, Legon Cities FC, and Bofoakwa Tano FC have already secured their places in the semi-finals.

The winner of the Dreams FC vs. Soccer Intellectuals FC match will join them, with all semi-final fixtures to be played between the 10th and 13th May 2024, with venues yet to be confirmed.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Young Ghanaian light heavyweight, Jon Power, also known as Jonathan Mbanugu has thrown a challenge to champions in his weight class saying he is coming for the best.

The 21 year old Power (now 8-0, 8 KOs) gave boxing fans a good show at the Darkuman Police Station in the Ghanaian capital, when Aborigines Boxing Promotions staged a bill in memory of the late  legendary official of the GBA, J. A. Annan displaying power, skill and talent against his opponent, Jones Quarshie, a veteran of nearly 30 career fights.

The enterprising and aggressive Jon Power accelerated his speed and strength on his opponent for referee Daniel Ablometi to step in and call off the contest after 1:49 seconds in round one.

The budding youngster still maintained his 100% stoppage record started on December 24, 2023.

With the support of an equally determined young manager, Gordon Frimpong aka Osibor of Osibor Boxing Promotions and Management, Power has fought at least once every month since his debut and already scheduled to be on the card in Kumasi next month when Osibor Promotions return to the Garden City for a fight show at the Manhyia Palace, seat of the great Ashanti Kingdom and in front of the great Ashanti king, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II.

He has big dreams and this is what he told the media and fans. “I was born ready, I have been prepared and made ready to be a world champion before I made my debut. Even before I started boxing, I already knew I was ordained to be a world champion so it’s just a matter of time,” Jon Power stated at ringside following his awesome triumph.

“I know many people may not take me serious but I am ready to be a world champion today, I have watched all the top light heavyweights, from IBF, WBC, WBO, WBA fights and I can tell you I’m ready to take all of them down. It’s only a matter of time,” he added confidently.

“I am here to stay, I thank my coach for all the hard work he has instilled in me. To my fans and especially my manager I say thank you for the unrelenting support and I promise to make everyone proud,” Power said.

Gordon Frimpong’s Osibor Promotions have promised to get him a title shot in a few days to come.

“The plan is simple, make him a world champion. He was born a champion, hence the name, everybody knows he will be a champion. The power in his hand can only be compared to the great Mike Tyson, no kidding,” Mr. Frimpong expressed.

“We will provide him everything he needs to achieve his goals and I believe it will be the ultimate. He is ready to become Ghana’s new world champion, we can’t wait for the opportunity to reward our teeming fans for their unwavering support” Mr. Osibor promised.

By Sammy Heywood Okine    

Patrick Yaw Obeng, Ibrahim Suleiman, Ernest Brako Ofei and Emmanuel Appiah Kubi have been put in charge of Ghana's Paralympic athletics team and tasked with securing more medals on the international stage.

The Ghana Paralympic Committee (GPC) has announced the appointment of the four coaches as preparations for the Paris 2024 Paralympics start to take shape. Coach Ibrahim Suleiman, Ernest Brako and Patrick Yaw Obeng will focus on track events, and Emmanuel Appiah Kubi will concentrate on field disciplines.

The President of NPC Ghana, Mr Samson Deen, said the four were selected following a joint meeting with the Foster Kwartengs-led Ghana Para Athletics Association and the Head of the Technical team, David Tweneboah Koduah of the Ghana Blind Sports Association.

Ghana made its Paralympic Games début at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, sending three representatives to compete in two sports. In athletics, Nkegbe Botsyo took part in the men's 100m, 200m, and 400 m in the T54 category. Ajara Mohammed entered the women's 800m and the marathon, also in the T54 category. Alfred Adjetey Sowah competed in powerlifting in the men's up to 52 kg category.

Botsyo and Mohammed returned to compete again in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, the former in the men's 100m and 200m (T54) and the latter in the women's 200m and 1,500m (T54).

No Ghanaian has ever won a medal at the Paralympic Games

Ghana took part in the 2012 Summer Paralympics, and the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana chose Bedford as the UK training base for its Paralympians.

The Ghana team will begin preparation for para athletics and para powerlifting in the cities of Boucle Nord de Seine at its pre-games training camp.

Source NPC

… Welcomes Four Para Athletes From Marrakech Grand Prix

Mr. Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Ghana has appealed to corporate Ghana to support para athletes in their planning and preparations for international competitions.

Welcoming four athletes and their coach who returned from the 2024 International Para Athletics Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco, he said Ghana para athletes always bring home medals, but they need to be motivated and inspire to do more and better in ruling championships.

He hailed the two medalists, experienced Zinabu Issah and Edmund Govina who participated for the first time a got a bronze the F46/F44/F68 Discus Throw with a distance of 18.04 meters which is his Personal Best (PB) and T46 Javelin Men PB 21.81m where he took 6^th position.

Zinabu Issah won two gold medals for Ghana in Discus Throw and Shot Put.

Amos Ahiagah made his PB 12.63 placing 5^th in T46 100 meters Men, T46 400 meters Men PB 1:04.02 placing 5th and T46 Long Jump Men with a PB 5.14m 6^th place, while Diana Kuubetegr also made her PB 2:50 in 42 T 46 800 meters Women which is an African record and T46 1500 Women registering a PB of 6:12.65.

Coach Ibrahim Sulemana said they could have done better with better preparations. He appealed to the media to promote para sports.

Four other coaches including Patrick Yaw Obeng, Ernest Brako Ofei were presented with classification certificates at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the athletics team will move to camp to prepare for France for the Paris 2024 Grand Prix, which is another opportunity for Ghana to qualify and compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.  

In other News, Ghana is preparing to host the African Paralympic Committee (APC) AGM in Accra from May 16 to 18, 2024, while Tahiru Haruna will lead the Black Optimist Para Powerlifting Team to Mexico 2024 Parapan American World Cup from 23rd - 26th May 2024.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Different countries will battle to punch their Olympic tickets on May 4 and 5 in The Bahamas. This is how the events will pan out with 32 teams in each relay competition:

On the first day, 32 countries will be grouped into four (4) rounds consisting of eight countries each. The top two (2) teams in each round (4 rounds for each category), making a total of 8 will advance to the final which will take place on day two, while also securing their automatic qualification spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On day two (May5), the eight top teams from day one will compete for prize money and obtain Olympic Lane seeding positions.

All other teams (24) will compete on day two in the additional round (8 countries per round) where the top two teams in each heat will also qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The top14 teams (eight from day one and six from day two) in each event at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024 will automatically qualify for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The remaining two places in each discipline will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (31 December 2022 to 30 June 2024).

: Some of the relay events do not have up to 32 teams and the World Athletics will see to any reshuffling that needs to be done.

©Ifeoluwa Leo
Your Sports Analyst

After the amazing performance of a five man Ghanaian Para Athletics team in Morocco who returned with two Gold and One Bronze by Zinabu Issah and Edmund Givina, the next assignment of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) is in France for the Paris 2024 Grand Prix, this is another opportunity for Ghana to compete and qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

According to the media bureau of the NPC,the outstanding para athletes who went to Morocco will arrive on Wednesday,1st May and they shall join three others in Accra for camping to begin serious preparations on up coming events.

The Para Athletics Association will engage the media on Wednesday at 9:00 at the AfPC Secretariat to engage with the athletes and announce the roadmap ahead of the upcoming events.

In other News, Tahiru Haruna will lead his Black Optimist Para Powerlifting Team to Mexico 2024 Parapan American World Cup from 23rd – 26th May 2024. Watch out for more news from Mexico on the WPPO Qualification Pathway 2021-2024 Road map.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

… ‘Jojo’ Embarks on a Journey to Excellence

Joseph Awinongya Jr., aka Jojo the Boxer, is a 16 yr old Junior at St. Francis University, Joliet, Illinois. He qualified to be in the youth team and will participate in the prestigious USA Boxing Youth High Performance Training Camp. Held at the state-of-the-art Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (CVEATC) in California, this camp is a pivotal moment in Joseph’s promising career.

The Path to Greatness

Location and Purpose

• Location: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista, California
• Purpose: To elevate the skills, fitness, and techniques of young boxers preparing for international competitions.

Expert Coaching Staff

Joseph will benefit from the guidance of an esteemed coaching team:

• USA Boxing National Developmental Coach Chad Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
• Assistant Coaches:
• Debra Lagares (Rochester, N.Y.)
• Danilo Garcia (Oakland, California)
• Candice Vascocu (Bullard, Texas)
• Eric Zimmermann (Alexandria, VA)
• Jonathan Pramas (Seabrook, N.H)

Mid-Season Preparation

• The camp serves as mid-season preparation, allowing boxers to fine-tune their abilities and work collaboratively.
• Expert coaching ensures individual growth and team cohesion.

Talented Boxers to Watch

Joseph joins a select group of 25 promising boxers from different corners of the country. Noteworthy participants include:

• Marcus Luther (Washington, D.C.): Marcus is known for his powerful punches and defensive prowess in the (126 lbs).
• Malachi Ross (Kansas City, Missouri): Malachi possesses swift footwork and a strategic approach (156 lbs).
• Elijah Lugo (Marietta, Ga.): Elijah’s precision striking and ring intelligence make him a formidable contender (176 lbs).
• Mesiah Nemo (San Antonio, Texas): Mesiah’s agility and counterpunching skills set him apart (132 lbs).

Stay Updated

• Follow Joseph Awinongya Jr.'s journey on his Instagram account: @josephawinongyajr.
• Connect with USA Boxing on social media for exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes footage.

Joseph’s Ascent

Joseph Awinongya Jr. is poised to make his mark in the boxing world. The USA Boxing Youth High Performance Training Camp provides the perfect platform for him to showcase his talent, determination, and unwavering commitment.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the camp, Joseph stated, "This camp is a little bit different; no more playing around. It's a bit serious, and I like that."

Upon arrival at the camp, Joseph was greeted with a bag of boxing equipment, and clothing including Nike and Sting gear, to aid him.

From Sammy Heywood Okine