The Black Satellites of Ghana have won their fourth Total CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after defeating the Hippos of Uganda in the final of the 2021 edition of the tournament in Mauritius.

Regardless of finishing third from their group, the West African side proceeded into the final with exciting performances in the knockout phase.

Coming against their Uganda counterparts from East Africa, in the final of the tournament staged in Mauritania Ghana got the job done with another classic performance.

In the final match played at the Stade Olympique Nouakchott, captain Daniel Afriyie Barnieh scored with an assist from Abdul Issahaku after 20 minutes of play to give Ghana the lead.

Maintaining ball control and possession throughout the game, the Black Satellites sealed the win in the second half courtesy of a second goal from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.

With the deserved 2-0 victory, the Ghana U-20 team led by coach Karim Zito have been crowned champions of the 2021 Total CAF U-20 AFCON tournament, increasing the number of trophies won at this level to four.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

National Lightweight Champion, Michael Ansah retained his belt when he stopped challenger, Sherrif Quaye aka One Time in the early hours of Sunday at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Ansah, coming from the Charles Quartey Foundation Gym did not find his rhythm until the fifth round when his combination hooks caught Quaye was behind on the cards from round one.

Hard working Referee Erasmus Owoo did very well to end the fight on realizing the Quaye was wobbling and could not stand on his feet after going down.

Some fans who besieged the ring thought ‘One Time’ coached by Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym was doing well, but ‘One Bullet’ had his own plan of a knock out as he predicted at the Presser and the weigh in.

Ansah, who is heading for a Commonwealth title as promised by Box Office Promotions now  has 19 fights, 11 knock-outs, and two defeats, while Quaye’ record is also 20 fights with two defeats all coming from ‘One Bullet’ and 12 knockouts.

In other bouts of the 14 exciting features, Robert Quaye aka ‘Stopper’ who could not fight for the IBF Africa title as his South African opponent failed to turn up due to Covid -19 restrictions increased his unbeaten record to19 stopping a last minute sub Raymond Kofi Ansah in R3, while Alfred Lamptey, the Bukom Bomber won the West Africa Featherweight title belt after knocking experienced George Krampa in R4.

John Laryea, aka ‘Exprnsive Boxer’ defended his national featherweight crown by fourth-round TKO over Kamarudeen Boyefio.

Daniel Aduku had it very tough but won over journeyman Naimou Samson in R7 of their super welterweight fight.

Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Durodola knocked out Taryel Jafarov of Kazakhstan in R2 of an international middleweight contest.

Daniel Gosh, one of the darling boxers from the Bronx Gym stopped Isaac Okine in R2 of their bantamweight bout.

Improving Holy Dogbetor beat Edward Kambassah via a R2 TKO in their featherweight clash.

Black Panthers new pro. Michael Abban stopped Benjamin Sackey in R2.

Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie thrilled boxing fans at the Independence Day Trilogy with an exhibition show.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

PRESIDENT

Ben Nunoo Mensah  - WEIGHTLIFTING

1ST VICE

Paul Atchoe  – VOLLEYBALL

2ND VICE

Frederick Otu  – TAEKWONDO

3RD VICE

Mohammed Mahadi  – FENCING

SECRETARY GENERAL

Mohammed  Sahnoon – CYCLING

DEPUTY SG

Jerry Ahmed Shaib  - SPECIAL OLYMPICS

TREASURER

Fredrick Acheampong  - FOOTBALL

DEPUTY TREASURER

Isaac Aboagye Duah  - TENNIS

Five Representatives elected from National Federation’s affiliates to the International Federations recognized by the IOC and whose sports are included in the Olympic programme.

Emmanuel Tetteh    - JUDO

Albert Frimpong   - BASEBALL

George Lamptey   - AMATEUR BOXING

Delphina Quaye   - SWIMMING

Mike Aggrey    - GOLF

Melvin Brown    - KARATE- DO

(5 to be selected out of 6)

One elected member from a non-Olympic sports federation

Abdul Hayye Yartey  - BODY BUILDING ( ELECTED UNOPPOSED)

Institutions/NF affiliated to GOC

 Dr. Bela Bello Bitugu  - GUNSA

Three other members elected by Congress:

Mr. Michael Ntow Ayeh      - GES

Mr. Emmanuel  Asare         - CRICKET

Rev. Emmanuel Neequaye  - NETBALL

Decision No°003/PR/2021 appointing members of the Development Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)

The President of ANOCA,

- Considering the Statutes of ANOCA,

- Considering the resolutions of the ANOCA Executive Committee Meeting held in Visio conference on 29 December 2020,

- Considering Decision No 001/PR/2021 creating, organizing and fixing the functioning of the Development Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA),

Following consultation with the Ad hoc Commission chair Hereby decides :

Article 1:

The following personalities shall be appointed, in the below positions within the Development Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA):

Members:

- Mr. Barry Hendricks, South Africa

- Mr. Ahmed Habu Gumel, Nigeria

- Mrs Bouchra Hajij, Morocco

- Dr. Ashebir Gayo, Ethiopia

- Mrs Beatrice Ayikorou, Uganda

- Mr. Amar Bramia, Algeria

- Mr. Hamdi Rahim, Egypt

- Mr. Paul Tergat, Kenya

- Mr. Augustin Senghor, Senegal

- Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, Ghana

- Mr. Abner Axel Xoagub, Namibia

- Mr. Vivian Gungaram, Mauritius

- Mr. Foloko Alfred, Zambia

Olympic Solidarity Reprsentative:

- Mr. Olivier Niamkey

Rapporteur of the Commission:

Ms. Ezera Tshabangu

Assistants to the President of the Commission:

 Mr. David OJONG

 Mr. Abdourahman KALKABA

Article 2:

This decision, takes effect as from this date of signature, the 4th of March 2021

Signed

Mustapha BERRAF

ANOCA President / IOC Member

GOC President Ben Nunoo Mensah Congratulates New Sports Minister

GOC President Ben Nunoo Mensah has sent a congratulatory message to the new Sports Minister Hon. Mustapha Ussif, saying he was impressed at their first interaction with his depth of knowledge for Sports and youth issues.

The GOC President who is seeking re election said he looks forward working with him to move Ghana Sports to a higher level and also support in the hosting of the 2023 African Games after his new appointment to serve on the Development Commission, one of the highest Committees of the continent’s sports controlling body, ANOCA.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah urged Federation heads to give the new sports minister all the full support.

The confirmation of  Hon. Mustapha Ussif as the new Minister of Youth and Sports was made by the President Nana Akufo Addo, on the 5th of March 2021,.

He also commended the President HE Nana Akufo-Addo for bringing down the vaccine to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana which has affected sports very much.

He advised all delegates at the GOC Congress to obey the Covid -19 protocols, as every Ghanaian life is worthy.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana National Paralympic Committee Congratulates New Sports Minister Hon. Mustapha Ussif

The Ghana National Paralympic Committee (NPC) wish to express their heartfelt congratulations to Hon Mustapha Ussif following his confirmation by the President Nana Akufo Addo, on the 5th of March 2021, as the new Minister of Youth and Sports.

The President of National Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen and the Executives of the Para Committee took the opportunity to thank the President for this call to duty and believe the  appointment of Ghana’s youngest ever sports minister will have an immense impact on the ministry.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary, the Ghana Paralympic Committee and their entire team assured  the minister of wholehearted support during his tenure, to the best of their abilities to enable him achieve his set targets.

“May your leadership lead to the transformation and development needed in the sector to benefit all Ghanaians” said the statement signed by Peter Adjei, the General Secretary.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Alex Ntiamoah – Boakye, CEO of Box Office has disclosed that only 500 seats would be available for the big fight between rivals Michael “One Bullet” Ansah and Sherrif  “One Time” Quaye at the Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra on Saturday, March 6, 2021.

He said all the Covid – 19 protocols would be complied with and obey the Presidential order of 25% of seating capacity for invited guests and fans.

According to the ace promoter, the bouts will be shown on social media via Ace Power TV and other portals.

The top bill has been dubbed the “trilogy”, and been up up by Box Office in collaboration with Ace Power Promotions as part of Ghana’s  Independence Day Celebration

Ansah, 31, the national lightweight champion has predicted a knock out, and would come in with 18 fights, ten knock-outs, and two defeats, while Quaye 22, making appearance with 19 fights with just a defeat and 12 knockouts, signaling clear contest of two boxers with equal strengths

It would be the first time the two boxers would be fighting within three years.

In October 2018, Quaye won by a split decision on points over Ansah to annex the Lightweight title, but the fans of the later believed their boxer deserved to win and called for a re-match.

A year later, Box Office Boxing Promotion put up another wonderful show, it was full of fireworks as Ansah recorded seventh-round Technical Knockout (TKO) win over Quaye.

Ansah dominated the night and gave Quaye a severe beating in the latter part of  sixth round.

The debate will be decided in the trilogy.

Others factors that make the fight more interesting is that Ansah would be representing Charles Quartey Foundation Gym, while Quaye is being handled by Coach Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

.

 … Predicts ‘No Vaccine, No Travel’ Rule Soon

Mr. Herbert Mensah, President of the Ghana Rugby Association (GRA), says the government’s idea to acquire Coronavirus vaccines for Ghanaians must be commended.

According to the ace Sports Administrator and Philanthropist, Ghanaians can only be protected from the pandemic through the vaccine which has been the only solution worldwide to curb the spread of the virus.

“The movement of the right direction is certainly the question of vaccinations,” he noted

Herbert Mensah, a former Asante Kotoko Chairman indicated that the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine are all made-up to scare people.

“It is a global world; it is not a world that we sit down with our conspiracy theories that we aren’t going to take a jab. We are all in a global world.”

“I say it to all my friends it is only a matter of time some countries will turn around and say without the vaccine you cannot get on the plane, without the vaccine you can’t attend the theatre, the restaurant among others," he predicted in a video while addressing issues of COVID vaccination.

The Ghanaian businessman however lauded the Akufo-Addo led government for acquiring the vaccines and making sure that the majority of the citizens are all vaccinated.

“We are blessed to have such a leader,” he noted – adding that “I understand from experts that the vaccine is safe and good.”

Source: peacefmonline.com

South African Football Association chief Tebogo Motlanthe insists that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana will go on as planned at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on March 25.

Motlanthe has moved quickly to deny reports that the game will be played on a neutral ground amid Covid-19 fears.

The Ghana Football Association has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) seeking to get the game moved away from South Africa.

But the South African authorities won't budge and insist the game will go at the famous FNB Stadium in Johannesburg as originally planned.

“To put it on the record‚ I have been talking to the secretary of the Ghana FA where we were discussing this important match between us and them in SA.

“Nobody has at any stage mentioned that the Ghana FA doesn’t want to play in SA — it’s only the media‚,” said Motlanthe.

“The match between Bafana Bafana and Ghana is going to take place at Soccer City at 6 pm on March 25 and we have received all communication from Caf to this effect."

“I don’t want to comment on hearsay and please don’t refer me to a certain website which you are seeing for the first time. The problem with South Africans is that we want to believe whatever news we come across.”

He added: “I ask anyone to say give me a letter from Caf to Safa stating that Ghana wants to move the match. Ghana may stand up and say that this is fake news because we have never received any complaint from Ghana in this regard.”

The Bafana Bafana will overtake Ghana in their group with a win against the Black Stars on March 25.

There is a lot at stake for both nations as they seek to secure qualification for the tournament in Cameroon in 2022.

Source - ghanasoccernet

President and Board Chairman of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Herbert Mensah has said his outfit has carried over 400 Covid-19 test on its players and officials.

According to him, this is to ensure “everybody in the sport is free from the virus and strong enough to partake in training and other activities of the association.

He stated that, out of the 400 tests, about fifteen came positive but have recovered after weeks of isolating.

The ace sports administrator added that now businesses are not investing in sports anymore due to the hardship brought to them by the pandemic but the Ghana Rugby has ensured to keep constant relations with sponsors.

Addressing issues in relation to the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine, Herbert Mensah heralded the Ghanaian government for acquiring vaccines for the country since the movement of the right direction is certainly the question of vaccinations.”

The former Asante Kotoko Chairman indicated that the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine are all made-up to scare people.

“It is a global world; it is not a world that we sit down with our conspiracy theories that we aren’t going to take a jab. We are all in a global world.”

“I say it to all my friends it is only a matter of time some countries will turn around and say without the vaccine you cannot get on the plane, without the vaccine you can’t attend the theatre, the restaurant among others,” he predicted in a video while addressing issues of COVID vaccination.

The Ghanaian businessman however lauded the Akufo-Addo led government for acquiring the vaccines and making sure that the majority of the citizens are all vaccinated.

“We are blessed to have such a leader,” he noted – adding that “I understand from experts that the vaccine is safe and good.”

Source: Peacefmonline.com