The Chicagoland Intercollegiate Story Slam was held on Wednesday March 6th at East-West University in Chicago’s South Loop.

Competition was high Ezekiel Collins represented Lewis University with a story about a wild night out during his study abroad program in Japan, Ollie van den Huevel from Columbia College Chicago told a story about a racially motivated physical attack they endured on Michigan Avenue.

Representing East-West University Shoaib Vahora told a story about not being accepted for his choice of non-binary fashion by some of his relatives. Alyssa DiVarco from Columbia College told a story about a massive trauma she endured as a teenager when her house burned down nearly killing her brother.

But it was Joseph JoJo Awinongya who won the Championship belt and the $500 prize with his story about facing a rival in boxing who had beaten him four consecutive times and finally JoJo found a way to win and has gone on to win 20 National Championships in boxing.

JoJo is only 16-years-old having graduated high school early and already has earned an associates degree and is now a scholarship student at the University of Saint Francis. All in all it was a stellar event created by East-West University Professor Dr. Bill Hillmann who is an author, storyteller, journalist, and was recently featured in a CNN Documentary about the running of the bulls Spain.

You can listen to these young storytellers and Dr. Hillmann in conversation with Chicago Tribune Senior Columnist Rick Kogan on WGN Radio last weekend if you follow the link below.

https://wgnradio.com/after-hours-with-rick-kogan/how-the-chicagoland-intercollegiate-story-slam/

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey of Ghana aka Theo Lopez is Ghana’s only hope in boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Flyweight -51kg won 5-0 unanimously against Bhuntan opponent Tashi Wangdi to advance to the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing WQT Boxing Road to Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Boxing Road to Paris qualifiers underway in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

Allotey is a product of the Wisdom Gym owned by Coach Dr. Ofori Asare.

He was the lone medalist at the African qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, but his bronze could not help him. He is hopeful on making it on the bigger stage.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

16-year-old Hana Goda of Egypt defeated Dina Meshref by four sets to two to register the first gold medal at the 2023 African Games.

Assar won first men singles Gold for Egypt at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.

He defeated Nigeria's Aruna Quadri 4-3 to win the men's table tennis singles finals.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Egypt’s Omar Assar wins 2023 African Games Table Tennis Men's singles title

Omar Assar from Egypt is the 2023 African Games Table Tennis Men's singles champion after defeating Quadri Aruna of Nigeria 4-3 in the most staggering table tennis final to pick the precious first gold medal for men.

Ibrahima Diaw from Senegal was third.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Daniel Gorsh stops Moses Adjei Selvi to claim the UBO Africa Super Bantamweight Title

Back by a number of fans, Daniel Gorsh of the Bronx Boxing Gym displayed skill, stamina and strength as well as ring generalship and punching power to dominate and stop Moses Adjei Selvi of James Town Gym also called Terrible Terror to claim the UBO Africa Super Bantamweight Title in addition to his national belt,

His performance suggests that Ghana professional boxing has a future, because when given the opportunity Gorsh aka The Emperor can win a world title.

Selasi as he is also called has been a boxer since his childhood and knows much about the sweet science, although learning never stops, the relationship between him and Coach Carl Lokko is the father and son type.

He has lived in Bukom and Jamestown most part of his life and experienced the culture and chose to be calm at home and on the street but wild and brutal in the ropes.

In the event promoted by Box Office and its partners Platinum Punch, the Bukom Boxing Arena registered another good crowd and atmosphere for boxing for the “Independence Eve Rumble”.

The undercards were exciting with Michael Decardi Nelson also retaining his National Bantamweight belt,

By Sammy Heywood Okine

President of the World Karate Federation (WKF) Mr. Antonio Espinos has met the media on Wednesday to announce his presence in Accra and maximum support to the Local Organising Committee (,LOC) of the 13th African Games.

He commended the Ghana Karate Do Federation and other 26 countries who will compete for the medals.

He noted that the African Games is one of the most important intentional competitions, and expect to see best of performance at an excellent event

He said Karat is waiting for Olympic recognition, however are several international championships for athletes.

‘We aim to make Karate one of the best sports in the world’ he stressed.

Monsieur Souleymane Gaye president of the African Karate Federation hinted that 48 nations compose the continental body and at least 250 athletes will converge in Accra to represent their countries for the sports festival.

He named Egypt, Morocco. Algeria and Tunisia as the power houses in Africa, however there are rising countries like Senegal, South Africa, Côte Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana.

He expressed that the focus is on developing the sport. "We have six regional championships to develop sports and we hold seminars for referees" he stressed.

Mr. Nathaniel Johnson, president of the Ghana Karate Do Federation said the Accra 2023 African Games is historic and will be very unique as it will bring Africans together.

The WKF led a technical meeting at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra on the 13th African Games which was attended by other executives.

Team Ghana has lightened up hoping to win medals. 10 male athletes and one female want fans to come and watch them at the Bukom Boxing Arena from next week. Edmund Amoako as one of the stars to watch.

The African Games are the biggest multi-sport event in Africa.

The 13th edition to be held in Accra gathers over 5000 athletes across 23 disciplines.

The event in Accra represents Karate’s ninth appearance in the sports programme of the African Games since its debut in 1991. The full African Games are scheduled from March 4 to 23, 2024.

The Karate competition is slated for March 7 to 9.

The first day comprises the categories of Male Kata, Male Team Kata, Male Kumite +84kg, Male Kumite -84kg, Male Kumite -75kg, Female Kumite +68kg, Female Kumite -68kg, and Female Kumite -61kg.

The second day will have the categories of Female Kata, Female Team Kata, Male Kumite -60kg, Male Kumite -67kg, Female Kumite -50kg, and Female Kumite -55kg taking the stage.

The final day will be focused on Male and Female Team Kumite.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ivorian giants, ASEC Mimosas have been crowned champions of the 2024 President’s Cup played in Honour of Ghana’s sitting President H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The club from Ivory Coast honored the invitation from the Ghana League Clubs Association today and locked horns with Asante Kotoko to fight for the trophy.

In a game played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Ghanaian club could not match up with the quality and desire of the Ivorians.

The visiting club equalized after jut 13 minutes into the first half when Jao found the back of the net of Asante Kotoko.

Later in the 25th minute, Arthur also got his name on the scoresheet to double the lead for ASEC Mimosas before the halftime break.

After recess, Asante Kotoko came in strong in a bid to turn the game around.

Unfortunately, it was a little too late for the side. The Porcupine Warriors only managed to score through a penalty converted by striker Steven Mukwala in the 83rd minute but it was not enough to save the side from a defeat.

The 2-1 narrow victory has seen ASEC Mimosas being crowned champions of the 2024 President’s Cup.

Source footballghana

Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Samuel Takyi was beaten in his first fight in the bid to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after losing to a Japanese on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Samuel Takyi aka the Ring Warrior 0-5 lost to his Japanese opponent, Shion Nishiyana in the Men's Light Welterweight - 63.5Kg Boxing Road to Paris2024Olympic Games at the ongoing WQT in Busto Arsizio, Italy

The GBF MEDIA social media platform describes the lose as a sad day for Ghana Amatuer boxing.

Four Ghanaians, Light Heabyweight Jonathan Tetteh, Lightweight Anatu Mohammed, Light Middleweight Alfred Kotey and Light Welterweight Samuel Takyi are out with Theo Allotey as the only winner so far,

Female Flyweight Janet Acquah and heavyweight Mark Kodjovi Ahindjo are yet to climb the ring.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Offiong Edem has won Nigeria's first medal at the ongoing 2023 African Games after securing bronze in the women's table tennis singles.

Edem, a five-time African Games gold medalist in the women's singles, secured bronze despite losing Tuesday's semi-final.

Edem lost to Egypt's Dina Meshref in four straight sets.

"It was a quality contest, and I respect Dina Meshref. I have no regrets because I have been at the highest level for twenty years. I've got the medals too," she told Joy Sports.

Winning bronze at the Accra 2023 African Games takes Edem's total medal haul for the African Games to nine; two bronze, two silver, and five gold medals.

"I feel fulfilled. I have accomplished enough. To be competitive while doing this on a part-time basis itself is wonderful," she told Joy Sports.

Source myjoyonline

Hon. Mustapha Mohammed, the young Assembly member for Kasoa and president of Ghana Footvolley has disclosed that the game has come to stay and may be featured in subsequent African Games as well as national sports festivals.

He said the sport which is played in sand is a tourist attraction and an opportunity for sportsmen and women to choose which sport they will enjoy and excel.

He thanked the University of Education, Winneba for the support and hosting the first International Footvolley event in Ghana.

15 teams were represented in the tournament, which was won by Heraldo and Beinhard.

He encouraged communities around sandy areas like beaches to form footvolley teams and clubs.

By Sammy Heywood Okine