Ghana's first skeleton Olympian, Akwasi Frimpong, has achieved a significant milestone at the North American Cup (NAC) race in Lake Placid, New York on March 8, 2024. Competing against 51 top athletes from 20 nations, Frimpong secured his spot in the finals, marking his first finals appearance of the season. The race, recognized as the largest IBSF sanctioned race in history, featured over half of the competitors as world cup athletes, making the level of competition unprecedented.

Frimpong's tenacity and skill led to a tied 23rd place finish in heat 1, securing his position in the finals. Determined to push his limits, Frimpong, along with his coach, took calculated risks in heat two, ultimately finishing 26th out of 51 athletes. This accomplishment holds immense significance as it not only showcases Frimpong's talent, but also represents Ghana and Africa in this historic race.

With the IBSF BMW World Cup race just weeks away in Lake Placid, Frimpong's performance serves as a testament to his dedication and perseverance in the sport. He expressed deep gratitude for the support from Team China and his sponsors, emphasizing that the grind and learning never stop.

For more details and full results of the race, please visit:  https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/503181/?cHash=9d2bdf58a81812540c0ece17eff3ea7c

Source: Bobsled and Skeleton Federation Ghana

Ghana's Issah Fuseini fought back tears after losing to Nigeria's Augustine Okubo in the opening round of Men's Greco-Roman 130kg Wrestling event.

Fuseini led Okubo at some point, but the latter fought his way back to beat him, and qualified for Round 2.

Nigerian Wrestler, Augustine Okubo overpowered his Ghanaian opponent in the men's 130kg freestyle, defeating Issah Fuseini with a victory by technical superiority.

The fight ended after Okubo scored 10pts to finish their fight in a 17-8 victory in favour of the Nigerian.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The medals for the 13th African Games are shaped into the Adinkra symbol called 'Fihankra'.

'Fihankra', is an Akan language and in the Ghanaian context symbolizes an enclosed and secured compound house house.

Within the compound house, there is one entrance and one exit that guarantee that the movement of the members of the house is public knowledge.

It also symbolizes a united family.

The Games Torch

The Accra 2023 Games Torch is in the form of a golden stool 'Akrafena' sword.

It is a symbol of power or authority in the Ghanaian society, mainly used in taking and swearing the oath office by chiefs and the President of the Republic of Ghana.

The symbol of 'Gye Nyame' which means except God is also incorporatec on the handles to reflect the African belief in a superior being.

The color for the torch is metallic gold.

The Games Cauldron - Black Pot

The Games Cauldron plays a major role in the Torch Relay. The lighting of the Games Cauldron symbolizes the end of the Torch Relay and the beginning of the Games.

The Accra 2023 cauldron is based on the concept of the African Black Pot which takes after a typical cauldron. The cauldron shares with the torch the design element of the Adinkra symbol 'Gye Nyame' except God.

The colour for the Games Cauldron is black just like the original African Black Pot.with the 'Gye Nyame' inscribed on it.

The Mascot

The Mascot for the 13th African Games, Accra 2023 is an Eagle adorned in the Ghana flag.

The Eagle is a symbol for the traditional authority of the Ghana and the flag is a symbol of our Nationhood as a nation, Ghana.

It symbolizes everything in Ghana, it is wealth, royalty, spiritual purity, unity, honorable achievements and strong family bonds.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) have hailed the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for putting up a good atmosphere for table tennis at the 13th African Games taking place in Accra, Ghana.

The continental body described the quality of play coupled with the conducive atmosphere put in place by the host as satisfactory for all the participants ranging from the coaches to the players.

Specifically, ATTF commended Mawuko Afadzinu, a member of the LOC in charge of table tennis for putting up a good show for the participating 29 countries competing in the table tennis event of the championships.

According to Deputy President and ITTF Executive Vice President Wahid Oshodi, the tournament has once again shown that Africa has the wherewithal to host a top class tournament.

Oshodi said the standard of play was a confirmation of the quality of the organisation.

“We must commend Ghana and LOC for their reception coupled with the quality of organisation which is also reflected in the standard of play displayed by the players in the last five days of the competition. We cannot but commend for ensuring the atmosphere was conducive for the players while the hospitality has been encouraging for the teams. We have seen that Ghana is warming itself back into an elite country that can host a world class tournament. On behalf of ITTF, I congratulate the 13th African Games LOC and Mawuko Afadzinu, LOC Member and ITTF Council Member for hosting this event and also helping to showcase the talents that abound in Africa,” he added.

For the President of ATTF, Khaled El-Salhy, the large turnout of teams for the tournament has also set a new record for the games. “At Brazzaville 2015, we had over 25 countries and we thought that it was a record entry for the games but this year we had 29 countries which is a new record entry for the games. We are happy that the LOC worked tirelessly to ensure that table tennis has a befitting place to host the event. We made several efforts before the games and all the efforts worked out because of the cordial relationships between LOC and ATTF and we are happy that for us this is also the best in terms of standard of play because we are excited that the talents that will come through this event. We hope that the momentum that Ghana has can be sustained and we also seek the support of the media to ensure that table tennis returns to what it was in the 1960s and 1970s in Ghana,” the ATTF boss said.

Source GTTA

Mr. Bernard Quartey, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) has assured Ghanaians that the boxers representing Ghana will do well at the 13th African Games also called Accra 2023.

Speaking to Yours Truly on Saturday at the Trust Sports Emporium where he came to support the Ghana Judo Federation, he said the 13th African Games has been successful so far and very interesting despite many fans not watching the Karate competition.

According to him, Boxing will be different and attract more fans because most of the boxers have their backyards a few kilometers from the fight venue.so it will not shock that many people will watch the Boxing.

Also Boxing is a traditional sport in Ghana and many people love the sport.

Mr. Quartey said security would be tight during Boxing matches at the Bukom Boxing Arena because the Local Organising Committee (LOC) wants a clean, fair and successful event.

He said Ghana has a blend of experience and young boxers in camp who are seriously targeting the gold medal.

He named some boxers to watch as Mohammed Aryeetey, Samuel Takyi, Joseph Commey, Abu Kamoko, Abdul Baki Adams, Henry Malm, Jonathan Tetteh and female Light Flyweight, Janet Acquah.

He promised that most of Ghana boxers will enter the medal zone..

"We are hosting and winning in Boxing. I assure you that the Black Bombers and Hitters will excel. Even our slots were cut because we wanted to feature at all weight categories" he expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

… Founder Calls On Youth To Be Disciplined And Work Hard

Mr. Henry Owoo, founder of the Cartel Foundation has called on the youth of Ghana to be respectful, responsible, disciplined and show love for the elderly, because one day they will also be in the position to need support.

In an exclusive interview with Yours Truly, he said his love for his parents and other elders is so exceptional, and wants the youth to learn or practice how to show love wherever they may be, especially towards elderly people.

Cartel Foundation is one of the organizations supporting the upcoming dramatic show entitled Ataa Ayi which premiers at the National Theater on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

He said the society is very important and one should be abreast with events and organisations and people in a neighborhood.

"I want to specially congratulate elderly people who have disciplined their wards" he said.

He also commended participants of the second Cartel Foundation Charity Health Walk which was patronized, very successful and massive as expected by the organisers.

Mr. Owoo promised more events in entertainment, tourism, sports, health, education and culture.

He commended the media, saying without them, there is no show, and hoped for an ever ending relationship with the press, namely radio, television, internet and news papers.

"The Cartel Foundation is out to support the youth, so people should support all their activities" said Mr. Richard Crabbe, an organizer.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Know About The 13^th African Games Medals

The 13^th African Fames has been officially opened to a spectacular and amazing performance by top artistes sensational King Promise, versatile Kamo Mphel, Pat Thomas, Ebo Taylor and Shatta Wale, the self acclaimed king of Dancehall music at the Legon Sports Stadium last Friday night.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declared the Games open, emphasizing the importance of unity and showcasing Africa's rich diversity through sports.

He encouraged the athletes to strive for excellence, highlighting the role of sports in unifying the continent.

“As you compete in the games in the coming days, remember that your efforts inspire countless individuals across the continent. Strive for excellence, push your limits and showcase the immense talents that Africa possesses,” he said.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, noted that Ghana would deliver an unforgettable competition, supported by state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat was at the opening ceremony alongside other dignitaries in sports.

Chairman of the LOC Dr. Kwaku Ososu-Asare said the Games is a dream come true and commended all who contributed, including the contractors, media, athletes and government of Ghana.

Ghana is hosting the Games dubbed Accra 2023 for the first time from March 8 to March 23.

Over 5,000 athletes and officials will compete in 29 sports in the competition. eight of the disciplines will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in July and August.

The opening ceremony drew all the contingents who have arrived in Accra for the special sports festival.

The Games Village at the University of Ghana, Legon was also lighted after the opening ceremony as athletes and officials moved round to socialize..

52 African nations are represented, except Cape Verde and Chad.

Vice President Bawumia commissioned the University of Ghana Sports Stadium and Rugby Field ahead of the competition while President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the new Borteyman Sports Complex.

Other venues to be used for the Games are the Accra International Conference Center, Trust Sports Emporium, Laboma Beach, Alisa Hotel, Achimota Cricket Oval, Theodocia Okoh Hockey Stadium, Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

The government of Ghana had spent $195 million on infrastructure and operating on a budget of $47.7 million for the Games.

Team Ghana compose almost 500 athletes to compete in disciplines, including Arm wrestling, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball (3x3), Beach volleyball, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Handball, Judo, Karate-do, Netball, Rugby sevens, Squash, Swimming, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and demonstration sports such as E-sports, Mixed Martial Arts, Pickleball, Teqball, Scrabble and Speed-ball.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Janet Acquah lost unanimous 0-5  Tapei's Guo-Yi-Xuan  in the women's Flyweight -50Kg at the ongoing WQT Boxing Road to Paris 2024 Olympic games in Busto- Arsizio, Italy.

According to the Ghana Amateur Bcxing Federation Media, Janet's defeat today leaves Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey (Flyweight -51kg) as Ghana's sole hope for a slot in pursuit to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Theo Allotey will face South Korea opponent Inkyu Kim on Sunday for a place in the quarterfinals.

The five other Ghanaian boxers including Sanuel Takyi at the competition have been either defeated or disqualufied and out of the Italy qualifiers.

There's a last window of opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 in Bangkok – Thailand (May to June, 2024) which many boxing experts say would be a waste of resources for the Bombers and Hitters to go and try for the third time.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana is hosting the 2024 African Games from March 8 to March 23.

Over 5,000 athletes and officials will compete in 29 sports in the competition. 8 of them will qualify for the 2024 Olympics.

Ghana commissioned the University of Ghana Sports Stadium and Rugby Field ahead of the competition.

The opening ceremony which will be graced by some popular musicians is today Friday at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Over 50 African nations are represented.

By Sammy Heywood Okine