For the past week, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, Ghana 2023, has been meeting with key Media Houses in the Country to share the President's vision/legacy for the Games.

The team led by the Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu- Asare, the Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah and Reks Brobby, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer made the visits.

The legacy the President of Ghana wants to leave, besides hosting and organizing the games AND building a 50,000 seater Olympic Stadium at Borteyman, is to establish a University of Sport for Development, at the same site AFTER the games so THAT too doesn't turn into a white elephant.

What is a University of Sport for Development?

According to Reks Brobby, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Sports has two dimensions; “Sports for Excellence” and “Sport for Development”. Sports for Excellence is the sports disciplines we compete in to win medals and trophies. That is why Sports for Excellence is referred to as an end in itself.

But Sport for Development is the intentional use of sports to achieve national, continental and global development goal, notably, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063; the Africa we want.

That is why Sport for Development is referred to as using sports as a means to an end.

The University of Sport for Development will study and research into how to use sports to achieve national integration and cohesion, socio-economic development, peaceful co-existence, women empowerment, poverty alleviation, crime prevention, social inclusion, health promotion and many other development goals.

This University of Sport for Development is the first in West Africa and the second in Africa.

The President of the republic of Ghana has been the Co-Chair of the UN Eminent Group of Advocates for the SDGs. Therefore his vision is establishing a University that will use sports to achieve the SDG’s.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars coach C.K Akonnor has named a 32-man home based squad to begin preparation for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations double header qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Ghana are scheduled to take on the Bafana Bafana in round five of the qualifiers before tackling Sao Tome and Principe in the final qualifier.

The Black Stars are tied on 9 points at the top of the standings in Group C after four matches with two games left.

The team will later be joined by other foreign based players for the two qualifiers. These players are to report to the M Plaza Hotel in Accra at 10am on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Goalkeepers: Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko), Bawa Lord Martey (Elmina Sharks), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC)

Central Defenders: Haruna Jamal Deen (Great Olympics), Yussif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko), Ganiyu Ismail (Asante Kotoko), Konadu Yiadom (WAFA), Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak)

Full Backs: Amoako Kwadwo (AshantiGold SC), Christopher Nettey (Asante Kotoko), Ibrahim Moro (Asante Kotoko), Dennis Korsah Akoumah (Ebusua Dwarfs)

Defensive Midfielders: Justice Blay (Medeama SC), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Salifu Moro (Bechem United), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics), Michael Otou (Great Olympics), George Asamoah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Ben Acquah (Ebusua Dwarfs)

Attacking Midfielders: Yaw Annor (AshantiGold SC), Salifu Ibrahim (Techiman Eleven Wonders), Maxwell Abbey (Great Olympics), Augustine Boakye (WAFA), Michael Agbekornu (Dreams FC)

Strikers: Kwame Pepprah (King Faisal), Diawusie Taylor (Karela United FC), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC), Evans Etti (Accra Lions FC), Andy Kumi Francis (Unistar Academy), Welbeck Takyi (Tano Bofoakwa).

Two years to the day of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations, African Union (AU) Chairperson Félix Tshisekedi and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have discussed an action plan that will accelerate several aspects of the agreement aimed at contributing for the benefit of African society, and, in particular, younger generations.

“I was delighted to speak with AU Chairperson who is a passionate football fan, and as FIFA and the AU have been working together for some time now, I am sure that under Félix Tshisekedi’s leadership our organisations will find ways to reinforce our joint efforts in many areas such as our ‘Football for Schools’ education project, the fight against match manipulation and any form of corruption, as well as safety and security at football matches across the continent,” the FIFA President said.

 “We are encouraged by FIFA’s willingness to engage with Africa, and to use football as a force for good across the continent, and by working as close partners with the AU to ensure that we are playing our part in the continued development of the sport across the African continent,” the AU Chairperson and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said.

Speaking by videoconference prior to the FIFA Club World Cup final, the two leaders discussed a range of initiatives from the role that football through education can play in developing life skills for children, be that respecting rules and showing respect to match officials, or by encouraging teamwork and cooperation in order to succeed. It was agreed that both AU and FIFA shared a mutual vision for education through football, and further discussions to identify opportunities are now being planned for a face-to-face meeting between both leaders in Kinshasa in the near future.

The call provided the FIFA President with the opportunity to follow-up on previous discussions with H.E. Félix Tshisekedi’s predecessor, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, and to assure the new AU Chairperson that FIFA and football remain totally committed to maintaining the close cooperation and teamwork that has been built up between both organisations in the past two years. 

The FIFA President also outlined the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan, while also stressing the important investment made to support the 54 African member associations through FIFA Forward, which has already delivered close to 300 projects across the continent since Gianni Infantino’s first election in 2016.

FIFA

Ghana Football Association (GFA) have released modalities for matches which will be played behind closed doors for the next four weeks.

The GFA Executive Council at a recent meeting decided that matches in Ghana Premier League and other domestic competitions will be played without fans due to the continuous rise of the country’s coronavirus cases.

The Ghana Health Service has reported 8216 active cases with 533 deaths as of Sunday, February 14.

See modalities below:

Only players and technical team of both clubs with validated licenses and accreditation.

Appointed match officials (Referees, Match Commissioner, GFA Cameramen/women and Venue Media Officer).

Organizers (GFA Competitions Department), Stadium Owners, and management staff.

Ten (10) Ball Retrievers.

Twenty (20) members of Home club’s management and Executives to sign upon entry at the stadium main gate.

Ten (10) members of Away club’s management and Executives to sign upon entry at the stadium main gate.

StarTimes crew (live matches).

Maximum Thirty (30) media houses (depending on stadium size (List to be provided by GFA). One journalist per media station. Interested media to contact the Communications Department of the GFA.

Ten (10) Medical personnel, that is uniform Red Cross, St Johns Ambulance.

Security (Police, Club Safety and Security Officer and club Stewarts). Home Club to invite and take care of security.

Two (2) Club media officers each for home and away clubs.

One club Cameramen for official video (only when GFA has written an approval letter for filming by the club).

No other spectator or person whatsoever would be allowed in the stadium.

No complimentary tickets shall be issued. All attendees to sign their names. Government officials and relevant officers to be accredited by NSA when the match is in a facility owned by NSA.

Stakeholders (especially Match Commissioners) are hereby notified to take note of these decisions and act accordingly.

Stakeholders are being reminded that the GFA COVID-19 match day protocols (Find attached) is still in force.

MTN Makes Season Of Love Exciting For Its Customers

MTN Ghana, the leading telecommunications service provider in Ghana, has announced exciting giveaways for its customers in the month of February as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Season of Love.

Starting 11th to 28th February 2021, over 5,000 customers will receive gifts such as vouchers, smart phones (Ipro Amber 5s and Kaios), MTN branded chocolates and Executive Gift Sets. In addition to these, some customers will receive Valentine’s Day e-cards in appreciation of their loyalty to the brand.

The celebration which is dubbed ‘Season of Love’ is a way of expressing MTN’s gratitude to its customers for their continuous patronage of its products and services. It is also to assure customers of MTN’s commitment to continually brighten their lives, especially as the organization begins preparations for its 25th Anniversary in Ghana.

Commenting on the ‘Season of Love’, the Chief Marketing Officer, Noel Kojo-Ganson said, “We are celebrating this season with our customers to thank them for their loyalty to the brand.”

“Customer satisfaction remains our number one priority and we continue to roll out relevant offers as we journey to become a digital operator in the near future”, he added.

The MTN Ghana ‘Season of Love’ began in 2014 and is celebrated annually in February to show appreciation to MTN’s loyal customers. Since then, thousands of customers have received various prizes from MTN Ghana. Customers who get selected to benefit from the ‘Season of Love’ are called by staff of MTN Ghana on the official corporate line 0244300000. MTN does not require any cash or purchase of recharge cards in order to redeem any prize won.  MTN is urging customers to verify from any of our service centers or call 100 for details of MTN promotions.

Welcome back, Richard Commey. Fourteen months after losing his IBF lightweight world title to Teofimo Lopez, Commey made an emphatic statement, knocking out Dominican contender Jackson Marinez in the sixth round Saturday evening from the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.

Commey (30-3, 27 KOs) knocked down Marinez (19-2, 7 KOs) twice in the sixth round of a competitive fight that had the judges split at the time of the stoppage. The second knockdown, courtesy of a right hand, prompted Kenny Bayless to call off the fight.

Commey said, “When I first started, I started very slow because I’ve been away for more than a year, so I had to take my time a little bit just to get my rhythm.

My corner was telling me to do something. They saw that punch that took him down.

“After our fight, I saw {Teofimo} in the lobby and we chatted and hugged. He always liked me, and it’s pure love.

“For him to come down to my corner, it was motivating. It showed tremendous love, and that’s how it’s supposed to be. We gotta love each other, regardless of where you’re from or who you are. I appreciated {his support}.

Source - boxing247.com

The return of former lightweight champion Richard Commey was a big boom. Commey's blistering right hook nearly knocked Jackson Marinez through the ropes as Commey secured a sixth-round knockout victory Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Commey (30-3, 27 KOs) stalked Marinez (19-2, 7 KOs) in the early rounds, using his strength to bully Marinez around the ring, while Marinez tried to keep Commey away by flashing superior boxing skills. But the 33-year-old Commey was a man on a mission, fighting for his country of Ghana in his first bout in 14 months.

The Commey-Marinez bout was elevated to Top Rank's main event after Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov was postponed because Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. As a result, Commey took center stage on Saturday.

This was Commey's first fight since losing his IBF lightweight title to Teofimo Lopez by second-round TKO in December 2019. One of the most interesting aspects of Saturday night was Lopez's passionate, in-person support of Commey. Before the fight, Lopez went to Commey's locker room, where they shared an embrace together and the champion gave Commey encouragement. During the fight, Lopez was in Commey's corner, encouraging him and giving in-fight tips.

The 30-year-old Marinez, of the Dominican Republic, was coming off a hotly contested and controversial unanimous decision loss to Rolando Romero in August. With two straight losses, it's time for Marinez to regroup.

For Commey, he is back in the thick of a very hot lightweight division that includes Lopez, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Commey hopes this win will help him get back to another big fight.

ESPN

Samuel Etoo’s son Etienne Eto’o Pineda will be representing Cameroon at the upcoming AFCON U20 Tournament that kicks off on Sunday, February 14, 2021 in Mauritania.

He has chosen jersey number 10 and not his father’s iconic 9. Cameroon are in the same Group A with the hosts, Uganda & Mozambique

Bayern Munich beat Mexico's Tigres UANL 1-0 on Thursday thanks to Benjamin Pavard's winner on the hour, to win the Club World Cup title and earn their sixth trophy in less than nine months.

Pavard scored in the 59th minute following a VAR review and in front of around 12 000 spectators allowed into Education City Stadium, after Tigres keeper Nahuel Guzman had stopped a Robert Lewandowski header.

The Germans, who also twice hit the woodwork, won all domestic and European titles they competed for in 2020 and are the first team to match Barcelona's sextuple from 2009.

It was also Bayern coach's Hansi Flick's sixth trophy since he took over in November 2019.

The Bavarians were missing several players, including Thomas Mueller, Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez to Covid-19 infections and Jerome Boateng who returned to Germany for personal reasons.

But they quickly pinned back Tigres, the first North American club to reach the final, with their high-pressing game.

Early efforts from Kingsley Coman and Lewandowski did not seriously threaten Guzman, who was beaten in the 18th minute by Joshua Kimmich but his 20-metre missile was disallowed for offside.

With pressure mounting Leroy Sane hit the crossbar with a powerful shot in the 34th minute. Tigres were struggling to break clear and with their French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac completely marked, it was only a matter of time until the Germans scored.

Sane had another chance after the break and Serge Gnabry curled his 51st-minute shot wide before Pavard found the net in the 59th.

Bayern should have added another with a string of chances late in the game and Corentin Tolisso hit the post with a low shot as well.

Bayern's second Club World Cup title after 2013 means European clubs have now won the last eight consecutive finals.

By Reuters

Talented Ghanaian forward, Emmanuel Toku has completed his move to Bulgarian top-flight club Botev Plovdiv.

Earlier this week, reports picked up from Denmark suggested that the youngster could move from lower-tier club Fremad Amager by the close of this week.

Following up on that report, your trusted Ghanaian online portal has received confirmation from Botev Plovdiv that they have signed Emmanuel Toku on a one and a half year deal.

“Botev (Plovdiv) strengthened his midfield, attracting Ghanaian talent Emanuel Toku. The "Canaries" agreed on the transfer of the player with the Danish team Fremad Amager,” a communique on the website of the Bulgarian club has announced.

The communique continues, “The 20-year-old midfielder's contract with the "yellow-blacks" is for a period of 18 months. The talented midfielder will be available to coach Azrudin Valentic for the upcoming match with Arda.”

At Botev Plovdiv, Emmanuel Toku will have a big role to play and will be expected to help the team achieve its goals in the ongoing 2020/2021 football season.

Modernghana Sports