All the boxers on the international bill to be organized by SOAQ Empire Boxing Promotions are ready to rumble on Saturday night at the Cahaya Lounge at Agyiriganor, near East Legon.

After a successful weigh-in on Friday, all is set and the officials are also good to go.

For the main bout with multiple super flyweight title belts at stake, Prince Patel from the UK tipped the scale at 114lbs and Tanzanian Julius Thomas Kisarawe at 114lbs.

They will clash for the WBO super flyweight Africa title, WBO Global, WBA intercontinental, IBF Continental and Commonwealth titles.

In the Heavyweight championship for the WBA Pan Africa heavyweight title, Ebenezer Tetteh who weighed 234.6 lbs has promised to revenge two defeats he suffered from Osmanu Haruna  who scaled 276.0 lbs at  the amateur level.

In the under cards, new kid on the block Mohammed Nii Ayikwei Aryeetey checked the scale at 112lbs and expressed his readiness.

Isaac Sackey (24-1-1, 20 KOs) 25, will defend his WBO Africa Super Bantamweight title against Gabriel Odoi Laryea.

All the boxers including the females Lucy Wildheart and Flora Machela from UK and Tanzania respectively also checked their weight.

The proprietor of Cahaya Lounge, D. K promised to give boxing fans a memorable treat on Saturday, March 27. 2021.

Match maker, Michael Patterson said he expects an entertaining night and promised that all the Covid -19 protocols will be applied at the venue.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Former Black Stars defender, Emmanuel Asare has congratulated the Ghana national team for qualifying to the next African Cup of nations after drawing with South Africa today.

Asare who played for Okwawu United in Ghana and pro soccer in Belgium is currently unearthing talents with his academy called Asarit Football Academy which he founded with his wife.

He told Yours Truly in an interview that the Black Stars have done well and need to be encouraged.

He said the game was tough, however the Stars led by Mubarak Wakaso did well to get a draw and qualified.

He hailed coach C. K. Akunnor and pleaded with Ghanaians and the Sports Media especially to support him to succeed.

Asare said he wants to contribute to the development and promotion of sports in Ghana, especially football.

He thanked the Sports Writers Association of Ghana SWAG led by Kwabena Yeboah and his executive and members.

According to Asare, Asarit is not playing in the league but boast of amazing talents because his scouts took time to comb the surroundings of Akutuase at Nkawkaw to identify footballers.

He thanked his scouts and coaches for having time for the future stars.

Emmanuel Asare noted the current GFA under Kurt Okraku is doing well and also need support from corporate Ghana.

He expressed hat sports need financing to excel and commended companies who support sports.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

WBO Africa super bantamweight champion Isaac Sackey is on the bill this Saturday March 27th to spice the ‘Night of Championship’ at  Cahaya Lounge.

The premier promotion by SOAQ Empire Boxing Promotions  which feature international boxers has been lauded.

Sackey who has not fought for over a year since winning back the WBO African super bantamweight strap on a unanimous decision against Michael Nyawade is hopeful of a good outing.

"It has been over a year we last mounted the ring to do what we do best but I had issues to deal with which stole a little time from me  and this had nothing to do with boxing but we are back" Sackey told the media.

Sackey (24-1-1, 20 KOs) 25, will clash with Gabriel Odoi Laryea.

The champion said "I know my opponent very well and I have adequately prepared to go past him with the sort of preparation we have made. You will see a different Isaac Sackey come this Saturday".

The main bout is between Prince Patel and Thomas Kisarawe for the WBO super flyweight Africa title, WBO Global, WBA intercontinental, IBF Continental and commonwealth title.

Ebenezer Tetteh will clash with Osmanu Haruna for the WBA Pan Africa heavyweight title.

Issa Samir will meet Frank Dodzie in a 10 rounder middleweight content and an international featherweight contest female category between Lucy Wildheart and Flora Machela.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

London based Swedish former female IBO lightweight champion, Lucy Wildheart and Flora Machela from Tanzania will thrill Ghanaian boxing fans in an international featherweight contest on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the Cahaya Lounge at Agyiriganor near East Legon.

Both boxers are poised for a great ring battle and fans will have much to cheer about.

Lucy Wildheart, 28 has a record of 7 fights, 6 wins (3 KOs), one lose, while  32 years old Flora Machela has fought 13 times, won 7, and lost 6. 5 of her victims were knocked out.

They have promised to entertain guests with their skills, strength, stamina, strategies and hope to make the Championship Night in Accra memorable.

On the main bill is the Super Flyweight Championship between Prince Patel and Julius Thomas Kisarawe for the WBO Africa Super Flyweight, WBO Global Super Flyweight and IBF Continenta Africa Flyweight titles.

Self-assured 28 years old Patel with 26 fights, one defeat, two draws and 23 wins was talking better than Tanzanian Julius Kisarawe who has 40 fights with 32 victories against seven loses and one draw on the day of the Presser to introduce the boxers.

"Kisarawe is another challenge and winning will give me the edge in the division and a shot at the world title" Patel told Yours Truly.

The humble Tanzanian said fans should expect a great boxing night.

In other supporting championship bouts Ebenezer Tetteh will face Osmanu Haruna in a 12 rounder co-main event of the night and battle for the WBA Pan Africa heavyweight belt.

Former Ghanaian middleweight champion Issah Samir will take on Frank Dodzie in a 10 round contest on the bill.

At the press conference on Tuesday to launch the international promotion by SOAQ Empire Boxing Promotions, former GBA President and current WBO Africa boss Samir Captan commended the government for supporting Ghana Boxing in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and promised that all safety protocols shall be put in place.

He said seven title belts will be up for grabs in the cracker, and prayed that the best boxers will win. He announced that there will be no gate fees, as the event is strictly by invitation.

D.Kofi. owner of the Cahaya Lounge said it is about time boxing is commercialized and monetized for the stakeholders to benefit fully. He called on boxing promoters and managers to be innovative and spread the game as many people love boxing in Ghana and Africa.

Michael Anyetei Patterson, match maker turned boxing consultant announced that there would be other exciting supporting bouts.

The weigh in on Friday morning at the Cahaya Lounge Adjiringanor, Accra.

By Sammy Heywood Okine and Elizabeth Alhassan

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been banned for a further six years and eight months by FIFA ©Getty Images

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been banned for a further six years and eight months after being found guilty of various violations of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

It is the second time Blatter has been banned by FIFA and the latest verdict comes just seven months before his initial six-year ban from all football-related activities was set to expire.

FIFA confirmed Blatter and Jérôme Valcke, the former secretary general of the organisation, have been suspended for an additional six years and eight months and fined CHF1 million (£780,000/$1 million/€900,000) for financial wrongdoing.

Both punishments are set to come into force when the current ones expire, with Blatter’s first ban ending on October 8 this year and Valcke’s initial 10-year suspension expiring on October 8 2025.

A statement from FIFA read: "The investigations into Messrs Blatter and Valcke covered various charges, in particular concerning bonus payments in relation to FIFA competitions that were paid to top FIFA management officials, various amendments and extensions of employment contracts, as well as reimbursement by FIFA of private legal costs in the case of Mr Valcke."

The adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee ruled Blatter had breached "duty of loyalty", "conflicts of interest" and "offering and accepting gifts or other benefits" of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

Valcke was found to have violated the same three rules as well as "abuse of position".

Blatter was President of FIFA for 17 years until 2015 when he resigned amid a corruption scandal.

The Swiss official was originally banned for eight years before it was reduced to six by FIFA’s Appeals Committee.

The punishment was for breaches surrounding a "disloyal payment" of CHF 2 million (£1.3 million/$2.1 million/€1.8 million) made by Blatter to former UEFA head Michel Platini in February 2011.

Valcke, who was appointed as Blatter’s secretary general in 2007 before being sacked by FIFA in 2016, had his initial 12-year ban - which was for a series of ethics breaches - cut to 10 following a successful appeal.

Last year Markus Kattner, former deputy secretary general of FIFA, was banned from football for 10 years after being found guilty of conflicts of interest and abusing his position.

The investigation into Kattner concerned amendments and extensions to contracts of FIFA employees, bonuses paid in relation to FIFA tournaments and the reimbursement of private legal costs.

It was launched in September 2016 and saw Blatter and Valcke both investigated for their roles in the illicit bonus and pay rise scheme.

Kattner joined FIFA in 2003 before holding the roles of director of finance and administration and deputy secretary general from 2007 to 2015.

He was sacked by FIFA in May 2016 for "financial breaches".

The extension of their bans makes it even harder to imagine Blatter, 85, or Valcke, 60, ever returning to football - something already unlikely given the reputation damage they have endured.

Both appealed their previous bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld them.

Blatter contracted coronavirus in November last year before undergoing a heart procedure at a hospital in Switzerland a month later.

Speaking in January, Blatter’s daughter said there was "still a long way to go" in his recovery.

By Geoff Berkeley - insidethegames

Top seed Japheth Bagerbaseh was beaten in the second round of the ongoing Accra Open as Sakumono Tennis Club’s Samuel Nyamekye advanced with a 7-5,6-7(3), 7-6(7) victory.

Samuel Nyamekye sealed the match in 2 hours and 40 minutes at the National Tennis Center, Accra. Samuel faces Felix Hammond in the quarterfinal’s finals. Felix Hammond defeated Raphael Nii Ankrah 6-7(1),6-4,7-6(3) in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Samuel Nyamekye won the first set breaking Japheth in the eighth game to win 6-4. In the second set,Samuel was unable to end the match after leading 5-2 allowing Japheth to level things up. Japheth went on to win the tie-break 7-6(3).

In the final set, at 6-6 tie break Samuel carved out a single break point opportunity in the game and took the chance to move ahead again before serving out for an impressive win.

"The first set was great, I think he maybe only won one or two points on my serve," he said. "Second set was tougher and in the final set I had to save some break points. Really happy to be through to the quarterfinals," said Samuel Nyamekye.

In other men’s results, Samuel Antwi ousted Reginald Okantey 6-1,6-2. Bernard Ashitey Armaah overcame George Nyarko 5–7,6-2,3-0(R).

The rest are: Pascal Ziyab outwitting Emmanuel Wettey 6-2,6-2. Benjamin Palm also beating Emmanuel Antwi 6-2,6-2. Tournament No.2 seed Benjamin Fumi with a 6-2,6-2 win over Kwabena Ofosu Bamfo.

In the ladies second round results, Annette Cruickshank cruised into the quarterfinals after overcoming Winneba based Aleona Naa Ankrah 6-1,6-3. Grace Tomegah sealed her qualification into the quarterfinals winning 6-0,6-1.

Yvonne Bruce Tagoe also proved her superiority over Cindy Aidoo as she won 6-0,6-1. Tracy Ampah announced her presence with a 6-0,6-1 win over Gifty Arhinful. Shika Mckorley maintained her fine form as she ousted Eugenia Asigri 6-0,6-2. Ladies Challenger Series defending Champion Akua Akoma Hansen won 6-0,6-3 against Faustina Tagoe.

The event is organized by RT Sports Agency and sponsored by Amoako Boafo with support from Gallery 1957 and Kempinsky Hotel.

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh

Players and officials of the Black Stars of Ghana visited the famous Nelson Mandela Square ahead of their top Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] qualifier against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Bafana Bafana will host Ghana at the FNB Stadium at 16:00GMT today.

The Black Stars need just a point to book their qualification for the tournament that will be hosted in Cameroon.

Ghana has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times and top Group C with 9 points.

Coach Charles Akonnor, technical staff, and players went for sight-seeing before the tough tie against the Bafana Bafana.

The Nelson Mandela Square is a shopping centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, that includes a large open area built to resemble a traditional European town square and an office complex.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, Executive Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13^th 2023 African Games to be held in Ghana has called on E- Sports Journalists to support in promoting the big event to succeed.

At a short but impressive encounter at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday, he hoped and assured that the 50, 000 capacity Olympic stadium would be built at Borteman and later turned into a University for Sport Development.

According to the former sports journalist, now lecturer at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and a onetime Administrator / Human Resource Manager of Ashanti Goldfield Company Limited, the 2023 African Games is a national affair and legacy project as the President of the Republic of Ghana, HE Nana Akufo Addo has special interest and wants the nation to spearhead Africa’s future in sustainable development goals.

Dr. Ofosu Asare recollected their inauguration in October 2020 with authority from the African Union (AU).

He said the media must support them to promote African Sports and Olympism, using sports as a unifying tool.

He expressed that the Games must be used to build capacity of stakeholders in sports such as athletes, coaches, journalists and administrators.

The veteran sports broadcaster  hinted that Ghana must use the home advantage to improve upon their athletes performance in the 25 disciplines to be competed and haul more medals to be among the top five nations on the medals table in 2023.

Present were other members of the LOC, Vice Chairman Reks Brobbey a  former Olympian and an accomplished sports event organizer, consultant Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the LOC who leads Team Ghana, Sports journalist Dan Kweku Yeboah and Miss Joyce Datsa, a Sports Administrator.

Others on the 9 member LOC are  Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Dwumfour Williams, a Clinical Psychologist and University Lecturer and a Board Member of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr. Ahmed Osumanu, a Communication Consultant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President, Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and Miss Eva Okyere, a Lawyer.

Ghana joins Congo Brazzaville, Mali, Nigeria, Algeria, Kenya, Egypt, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and Morocco as the only countries to have hosted the event also dubbed ‘The African Olympics’.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif, has promised to recompense Ghana’s Para Powerlifting team handsomely if they clinch gold medals at the 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Mr. Ussif made the assurance on Monday, March 22 when the team paid a courtesy call on him before  departing for Manchester to participate in the international event which also serves as qualification to the delayed 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

He promised to honour  the athletes when they return to the country with gold medals adding that, it would serve as a motivation to the abled athletes to do more for the nation.

Mr. Ussif was assertive the team would qualify for the Paralympic Games and urged them to make the nation proud as they embark on the trip to Manchester.

“I am confident you would qualify for the Paralympic Games in Japan. Go and make us proud and I am sure you all qualify. We are behind you to succeed. You would be rewarded when you come back home with gold medals to serve as motivation to the abled athletes to do more for Ghana, ” he said.

Mr. Samson Deen, the President of the National Paralympic Committee-Ghana was grateful to the Minister for the support and assured that the team would return with medals.

He called on Ghanaians to solidify their unflinching support to the team to excel at the Para Powerlifting World Cup.

The global competition would draw participation from 106 countries and Ghana will be representing four athletes; male and female and two other officials.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

MTN’s US$25 million donation to support the African Union’s (AU’s) COVID-19 vaccination programme is on track to administer 165,000 AstraZeneca doses to health workers.  The vaccines arrived in the country two days ago and were received at the Kotoka International Airport by Dr. Mathew Kyeremeh, Chairman of the Health Commodities Group for COVID-19 of the Ministry of Health.

Dr Mathew Kyeremeh expressed his gratitude to MTN and said the vaccines were going to be administered to people with underlying conditions and frontline workers.

In a major commitment to the health of the continent, MTN made the commitment in January 2021 to accelerate the AU’s critical programme.  This was aimed at securing up to seven million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine overall, to be spread across all 55 AU member states, for healthcare workers specifically.

“While the facilitation of the vaccination programme is in the hands of the Africa CDC and the African Union Vaccination Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), MTN is encouraged to see a clear plan and strong, accelerated move towards keeping Africa and its people safe and healthy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that Ghana and Africa as a whole, is not left behind,” says Selorm Adadevoh, CEO of MTN Ghana.

“As a company that is committed to the prosperity and progress of Ghana and indeed the continent, for MTN’s part, we are proud to be able to make a humble contribution to the millions of vaccine doses needed to reach herd immunity,” says Selorm.

“We are excited and grateful to be receiving this share of the first one million doses as part of the AU’s accelerated vaccine programme, supported by MTN.  While we are still in the early stages of the vaccine race, this initial contribution offers some very welcome relief as we start seeing the programme coming to fruition to the benefit of our dedicated healthcare workers,” says Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Minister of Health.

MTN continues to call on all large corporates across industry sectors, to play their part by contributing to this and similar initiatives that can fast-track the rollout of much-needed vaccines to help get the virus under control.

Following the outbreak of Coronavirus in Ghana, the MTN Ghana Foundation has supported Ghanaians with some major interventions to lessen the impact of the pandemic. MTN donated GHc5 million worth of PPEs to the National Covid Trust Fund. Again, the Foundation donated essential equipment to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to enable rapid testing and data processing. The Foundation also donated over 80,00 face masks to 30 hospitals across the country. With the surge in COVID-19 cases in 2021, the Foundation recently donated PPEs to 15 Senior High Schools and 29 Hospitals.

MTN Ghana also zero-rated several public websites providing health and other COVID-19 related information as well as over 200 websites for academic use by public and private educational institutions.  Other educational campaigns such as the ‘BE WISE’ campaign and MTN’s global ‘#WearItForMe’ marketing initiative were undertaken to build awareness around the importance of correctly wearing a face mask to combat the spread of the virus.

As at the end of December 2020, the cumulative value of MTN Ghana’s efforts to fighting COVID-19 was GH¢139 million.