Hasaacas Ladies FC have received the nod to represent Ghana in the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League.

The GFA settled on the Sekondi-based club after receiving a notification from the subcontinental football governing body, the West African Football Union - B (WAFU B) on submission of name of the representing club by close of business, March 31, 2021.

Article 2 section 2.3 of the CAF Women’s Champions League 2021 Regulation permits the GFA Executive Council to decide on who represents Member Associations in the Champions League.

Hasaacas Ladies were champions of the GFA Normalization Special Competition, hence gaining the nod of the Association to play in the competition.

The club is expected to begin the campaign by participating in the qualifying phase, WAFU Regional championship coming up in June 2021 before progressing to the next stage.

The GFA has a deadline of Wednesday, March 31, 2021, to submit the name of Hasaacas Ladies FC to CAF for the maiden competition.

By Ghana FA

USA born Ghanaian young boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jnr is on course  to winning his eighth USA National Championship.

The 13 year old popular pugilism starlet won his first fight against Alexander Hom.

He faces the winner of a duel between Maruffo Casano Jaylin and Rubio Gabriel in the next round of the competition.

He has had massive support from Ghana and the USA.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

"We need the support of the country and the corporate world because Ghana must win medals at the Paralympic Games, and when it comes motivation, it is very low and hard from the athletes"

"I have been financing all my trips and training but I don't complain but now we must make history in Tokyo"

These are the words of Ghana's to Para athlete, Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe when we asked him about his preparations towards the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Ghanaian para-athlete, Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe who is the current Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Sports Personality of the year 2019 has secured qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games after winning the T54 World Wheelchair 100m race with his new personal best of 14.22 seconds at the Desert Challenge Games in Arizona, USA.

Raphael easily won the T54 World Wheelchair 100m race which has given him an automatic qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and also makes him the second Ghanaian para-athlete to qualify for the world championships, after blind cyclist Fred Assor.

He told Yours Truly, things are not smooth and best for him as he prepares and prays that the government and companies associated with sports come to the aid of athletes, officials and National Paralympic Committee (NPC).

The T54 Wheelchair Race is a disability sport classification for differently abled athletics in the track and jump events. The class includes people with spinal cord injuries who compete using a wheelchair in track events. They have paraplegia but have normal hand and arm function, normal or limited trunk function, and no leg function.

Raphael was captain of Team Ghana at the last Commonwealth Games and his experience makes him a favorite for a Medal in Japan.

He has planned to intensify his training programme at Cape Coast, and sincerely appeals for support.

We, as progressive media join the top disabled athlete to appeal to corporate Ghana and individuals to support Team Ghana at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

…Towards National U-35 Badminton National Tourney

Insurance brokers, All Risks Consultancy Limited, have partnered with the Ghana Badminton Association (BAG) for its upcoming National Badminton Doubles U-35 tournament this Easter Holidays. 

The company has offered a free group accident cover for the tournament slated for Friday, April 2, 2021, to Saturday, April 3, 2021, at the DG Hathramani Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium with all COVID-19 protocols strictly observed. 

According to All Risks Consultancy Limited, this insurance will cover all 50 registered technical players and officials throughout the tournament to the tune of GH₵150,000.00.

They explained that in the event of travel accident from a place of aboard or death; it entitles an injured player to 100% of the sum assured and with permanent disablement, it will base the payout on the specified percentage mentioned in the permanent disability scale.

Also, a temporary total disablement of the insured from attending to or following any business or occupation, the benefit will be based on calculations per week during such disablement.

The 2021 National Badminton Doubles U-35 tournament is a Grade 5 Level ranking tournament and will see 16 best pairs of players playing in the Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and the Mixed Doubles.

The tournament would also be used as one of the selection trials for the 2021 Africa Badminton Championship, and 2022 Commonwealth Games qualifiers began in January 2021.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Yeboah, Evans President & Board Chair, Ghana Badminton Association highlighting on All Risks Consultancy’s success in the national and international marketplace–it holds leading positions in advising clients– he noted the “All Risks Insurance Consultancy has an impressive national reputation with which the Ghana Badminton, through the U35 Doubles Series is proud to associate.”

“We are pleased to see the growth of our sport and to join forces with All Risks Insurance Consultancy to enhance and promote badminton nationally– specifically the Doubles League Event–and make it an even more interesting product for badminton fans in Ghana,” said Yeboah, Evans.

“This strategic partnership for our officials and players is a good fit as Ghana Badminton and All Risks Insurance share similar goals to seek to further spread our respective brands and products across the country. Insurance also naturally goes together with sports as it helps to safeguard a person’s health, which is something that is vital to athletes and officials’ others in the badminton family.”

“Ghana Badminton’s local and the international appeal has been rising and we are confident that, given the plans we have with All Risks Consultancy, the next few years will be to our mutual benefit as the Double Grade 5 Event attracts the top players and showcases some best doubles badminton ever in the country.”

“As a leading insurance brokerage, the company, All Risks Consultancy is proud to be partnering with Ghana Badminton as part of the sponsors for the Doubles U35 Series Event, and Ghana Badminton’s Players, staff, and technical officials will benefit from this package” said, Delawoe Nyanyo, Executive Director

“All Risks Consultancy partnership with the Ghana Badminton Association will be a great opportunity to showcase our brand and values across the nation.”

“Inclusiveness is a key value of All Risks Consultancy culture and badminton is an inclusive sport that appeals to all genders, age groups, and nationalities. Health and wellness are also an important focus for All Risks Consultancy: encouraging sports, healthy activities, and engagement with our customers, families, and our stakeholders around the nation,” Mr. Nyanyo added.

Contact:

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From Sammy Heywood Okine

National female table tennis star, Hilda Agbottah who is getting support from the International Table Tennis Federation- Foundation / Table Tennis United will take part in the World Table Tennis Day tournament on April 6^th, 2021.

The World Table Tennis Day is observed across the world in order to highlight the significance and positive impact of playing table tennis as well as using sports as a tool for individual and economic development.

Over 100 young players are billed to partake in the highly anticipated and fully packed event which has been scheduled to come off at  Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

Hilda told the media, giving back to her community has been one of her major priorities.

"I chose to celebrate this year's Table Tennis Day with the people of Eastern Region because that is where I started my career and I would like to share the benefits and opportunities in table tennis with the people there," she expressed.

She added that playing table tennis has offered her enormous opportunities both local and international despite the challenges.

"Through table tennis, I have been able to gain admission to study at the University of Cape Coast, played for the national team at local and international competitions and travelled around the world as well. So I would always be grateful for playing table tennis," She said.

She, however, encouraged the youth to keep working hard in order to achieve their aim  and deter from some social vices.

"I want to advise the youth especially those from New Juaben not to involve themselves in  immoral activities but rather concentrate on education and Sports, because it is key in helping every individual achieving greater heights," she advised.

Hilda, again expressed her gratitude for the support in celebrating this year's event.

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the president of the Ghana Table Tennis Association, Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, New Juaben Table Tennis Club (NJTTC) and the CEO of PotSports Athlete management, Mr. William Asare and everybody for supporting this initiative," she said.

She disclosed that due to the covid-19 pandemic, safety measures and protocols would be put in place to ensure a successful and effective World Table Tennis Day event.

Table tennis rubber sheets, balls including other materials will be up for grabs.

Hilda has broad knowledge and experience in table tennis, and recently received a white umpire badge.

She is currently ranked 4th in the senior national  team, the Golden Loopers.

From Sammy Heywood Okine.

Seven times USA national juvenile boxing champion, Joseph Awinongya Jnr. has arrive for his eighth championship and has declared real battle on all his opponents.

He also thanked all his fans and family for the unflinching support.

His dad and coach  Joseph Awinongya Snr is very happy with his son’s form and they are going for glory.

Friends of Boxing Worldwide and in Ghana wish Team Awinongya all the BEST.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Peter Adjei, Secretary General of Ghana National Paralympic Committee (NPC) has disclosed in an interview with the media that he is impressed with the performances recorded by the disabled athletes from Ghana in their recent international outing in Manchester, UK (World Cup).

He said however there are other qualifiers in Georgia, Thailand and Dubai where they can take advantage to better their points.

Athletes from Ghana who have made the Qualifying Mark are:

1. Emmanuel Nii Tettey Oku - Para Powerlifting
2. Vida Antwi - Para Powerlifting
3. Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe - Athletics
4. Yussif Amadu - Athletics
5. Frederick Assor - Cycling

All the above will be confirmed through the IPC Games Commission after final competitions across all sports between March To June 2021.

"We hope Wheelchair Tennis and Judo will get us qualifications as well " said the ever confident and hard working President of the NPC, Mr. Samson Deen.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Sensational  Shakur Samed, the latest member of the Black Bombers to qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has hinted Yours Truly in an exclusive interview that he has two plans for the Games.

According to the 2019 Ghana’s Amateur Boxer of the Year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) after a sterling performance that placed Ghana in the forefront of Boxing in the year under review, he is determined to enter the medal zone and then do for the big one.

His qualification was based on the Boxing Task Force (BTF) rankings released in February which ranked him 10th in the world and 3rd in Africa.

The third member of the Samed boxing family known for producing top quality boxers said he was shocked and happy when the national head coach Ofori Asare informed him about the qualification.

He thanked the Almighty, his family, team mates and his trainers at the Akotoku Academy Gym, Alhaji Inusah, members of the Black Bombers, SWAG, NSA and the GOC for the support and motivation.

According to Shakur Samed he has prepared psychologically and has no problems as he is focused and determined to win all his bouts.

His dad, Issah Samed, also a former boxer said he is very much interested in boxing and wants the family (six boys and two girls) to achieve something.

He disclosed that what makes him and his sons to shine is prayers and the truth.

“I don’t smoke nor drink, I want to be holy and clean. That is what I teach my children” he expressed.

The Light – heavyweight boxer displayed exceptional talents, with instinctive boxing skills at the Africa Games in Morocco that won Ghana’s only medal in boxing.

His other Olympic boxing brothers are Bastie and Issah Samir who represented Ghana at the 2008 Summer Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Emile Heskey, Former England Footballer, has teamed up with entrepreneur and businessman Davison Simango to launch Alkebulan Group.

Alkebulan Group is dedicated to the development of humanitarian projects and transforming Africa by sourcing and brokering investment opportunities in a portfolio that includes Energy, Healthcare, Mining, Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, ICT, Agriculture and Banking Solutions.

With access to funding of over $5 Billion, Alkebulan Group invests in sectors that generate high long-term returns in turn helping to move the economy of Africa forward. To achieve superior risk adjusted returns, the group blend

professional industry experience and manufacture the best practise in operational management.

Source News Desk

Hon. Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth & Sports says he is looking forward to work with  the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) to develop sports.

He expressed that the greatest resource is the youth of the country, not the gold or oil, so they must be encouraged to engage in sports, as Ghana is a sports country.

He revealed that cabinet has approved the establishment of the Sports Development Fund, while preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games must be excellent.

The newly elected Executive Board of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC)  / Commonwealth Games Association Ghana led by President Ben Nunoo Mensah on Monday 29th March, 2021 visited the Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif at his office at the Sports Ministry in Accra.

After introducing the board members to the Minister, the GOC President stated that all the Federation heads, which include some of the best sports administrators, top professionals and successful prosperous businessmen are fully behind him to execute the mandate given him by the President Nana Akufo Addo as sector Minister.

The GOC President commended the Minister on his elevation and thanked him for showing up at the Congress that elected all members of the Green Team.

The Minister who was former Director of the National Service Secretariat welcomed the GOC and congratulated them for the victory and successful congress.

He declared looking forward to work with the new executive board to put Ghana Sports on a high level, as he was prepared to collaborate to work on a comprehensive strategic plan in a vision to give attention to all sports.

He expressed that the youthful resources are not limited, and they can be tapped to put Ghana Sport high through the efforts of the GOC and Ministry.

The GOC President made a passionate appeal to the Minister to lobby for more funds through the budgetary allocation for sports as they are the second least financed Ministry.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah pleaded with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to ask the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for more funds to finance its activities in the 2021 calendar year.

According to Mr Mensah, the GHS 34,412,805 allocated to the Ministry in the 2021 budget is "extremely small" and likely to run out after a few months.

He said the Sports Ministry was currently under-funded and its current budget was likely to run-out after the senior men's national football team (Black Stars) plays a few matches.

"Honourable Minister, the first challenge as you said is your funding. Unfortunately, I heard about the budget that has been given to you and I still think that it is extremely small.

"The more money we put in our youth development and our sports, the less money we are going to put in our health sector and then we are creating a future for more of our youth.

"So, I will still plead with you if it is possible that you need to go back to honourable Ken Ofori-Atta, we still need money".

He said although the Black Stars as the country's flagship sports brand were deserving of the funds spent on them, the development of other sports must not be neglected as a result.

"We have a huge brand in our Black Stars, so we need to sustain them with a lot of money. Black Stars play two-three matches and then our budget is wiped out, it's justifiably so.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah said the perception that sports is leisure should cease and the media must also shun negative reportage that retards sponsorship.

He explained that it is the athletes and media who benefit mostly from sponsorship, so the branding must always be positive.

He urged the media to also work with the federations and Ministry to attract funds for the least financed disciplines and lift up the image of Ghana Sports.

The GOC President hailed the former Minister Isaac Asiamah for investing in infrastructure, and appealed to Mustapha Ussif to invest in the athletes.

“We can not expect our athletes to win medals with four months preparation, when others have prepared for four years” he said.

He reiterated that Ghana has a good name in sports, and insisted that the YEA Package for sportsmen and women should be continued.

The new Chief Director of the Ministry contributed that Sports is business, and has the largest following as well as unifies the nation.

The new Secretary General, Mohammed Sahnoon, who is also the President of Ghana Cycling added that structures must be put in place and regulations must be made to work.

The oldest member of the board, Rev. Emmanuel  Nikoi, President of Ghana Netball appealed to the Ministry to support Federations in paying their international affiliation fees.

He advised the Minister to listen to the federation heads often than the media.

By Sammy Heywood Okine