The President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Mr. Abraham Neequaye has commended boxing promoters in Ghana, and called for more support from corporate organisations to raise the standard of the sport.

He expressed that boxing is the number one sport in Ghana, as well as the strength of Ghana Sports, so the government must encourage businesses to support the GBA.

He exprsssed that it is essential that the media promotes boxing, because it has brought glory, honour  and joy to the nation.

“Ghana has produced 10 world boxing champions, than any sport, so we must see where we have relative advantage and encourage boxers, coaches and other officials” he expressed.

He commended the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) and others who supported the Black Bombers to do well at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

He noted that very good amateur boxers can become very good professional boxers, so all boxers at all levels and categories, including female boxers must be motivated and supported.

Meanwhile, the former communications director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Sammy Heywood Okine who was the only sports journalist representing Ghana at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has congratulated the new GBA Executive board members.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

The Pro Fighting Factory Ghana Muay Thai team have been invited to participate in the WMKF World Championship & Golden Cup “Italy 2021”.

The Italy 2021 Championship, recognised by Attivita Sportive Confederation (ASC) will take place in Marsala, Sicily from 28th October to 31st October, 2021.

The Pro Fighting Factory Muay Thai team is led by delegate, Isaac Commey.

The team comprise: Austin Dwamena, born 23rd December, 1992, athlete, Evans Gyasi Barfi born 18th April, 1991, athlete, Samuel Plange born 4th May, 1995, athlete, Felix Kotoka born 30th September, 2002, athlete, Solomon A. Okpodjah born 20th April, 1992, athlete, Juliet Addae born 11th June, 1995, athlete, Issac Commey born 12th December, 1980, Coach and Emmanuel Appiah born 18th July, 1991, Assistant Coach.

Pro Fighting Factory team is the pioneer Muay Thai organisation in Ghana, and has represented Ghana in many international events.

Muay Thai kickboxing in Ghana

Sport in general has the potential to create jobs, contribute to GDP, enhance tourism, foster national cohesion, strengthen international ties and boost Ghana’s global image. In the field of martial arts, the nation is blessed with abundant talent. Muay Thai kickboxing is a rapidly growing sport globally and Ghana has produced several world champions and title holders. However, the sport remains heavily under-supported in Ghana, with limited public funding, corporate sponsorship and investment. In the absence of such support, many of Ghana’s young, aspiring and champion fighters have risen against social and economic odds through passion, hard work, perseverance and initiative.

The Pro Fighting Factory

The Pro Fighting Factory is a home-grown collective of martial artists who are committed to showcasing Ghana’s sporting talent both nationally and internationally. PFF was founded by legendary kickboxer and martial artist, Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai who hails from La in Accra. Lawrence competes and coaches across Africa, Europe and Asia. A world champion himself, he founded PFF to spawn a generation of fighters to fly the flag of Ghana high in the international martial arts arena. Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai is President of WBC WKN ISKA Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ashantifest Invitational Golf tournament tees off on Saturday, 25th September, 2021 at the Royal Golf Club, Kumasi.

The event forms part of MTN’s Ashantifest 2021 activities as their way of rewarding and engaging with our high value customers within and around the Ashanti region for their continuous support to the MTN Brand.

MTN Board Chairman, Mr. Ishmael Yamson and other senior management staff will participate in the tournament The theme for the event is ‘25years of Brightening Lives and Beyond’, with at least 80 players expected to view for honours.

Play Format will be 18 Hole Stableford, with Handicap allowance: Full - Open to players with official handicaps. Men (0 – 28) and Ladies (0 – 36).

All COVID 19 Protocols will be fully observed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The 2021 Origins Cup organised by the Rugby League Federation Ghana(RLFG) will witness the last round on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at the Mensah Sarbah Field, University of Ghana (UG), Legon. The aim of the three-game tournament which started on September 5, is to select the best players out of the two teams GIWA-MCNEIL XIII and SAFI XIII into the Ghana National Rugby League Team.

This year's Origins Cup comprises males and females representing the GIWA-MCNEIL XIII and SAFI XIII teams. Game one, which was played at Ajax Park at UG saw the GIWA-MCNEIL XIII defeating SAFI XIII 8-0 to end the male category in the rain.

The ladies on the other hand, after series of to initiate them into the full-contact sport, took their turn in their first-ever full contact rugby league game. They played a nine-a-side game which ended 8-4 in the favor of the SAFI team.

Game two of the Origins Cup was held at the Mensah Sarbah Field at UG.

Like game one, the ladies played their second full-contact game where the GIWA-MCNEIL team avenged their earlier loss. The game ended 8-0 as the SAFI team was unable to respond before the final whistle. The men's category was keenly contested as both teams did not want to lose. The game ended in a stalemate of eight all.

General Manager of the Federation, Jafaru Awudu Mustapha expressed his excitement watching the players again after a long break from the 2021 Clubs Championship.

"Origins Cup has given us the second chance to have a look at some wonderful lads that graced our fields during the Championship". Mr Mustapha said.

The General Manager also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of players in the ongoing Origins Cup and wished them well.

"I see dedication, the zeal to work hard and give their all to represent Ghana at the highest level. I must commend all players for being in their best form and may the merited players be selected",  Mustapha said.

Come Sunday, September 19, 2021, both male and female teams will go at each other again in their last games to win the first edition of the Origins Cup. The kick-off is at 2 pm at the Mensah Sarbah field at UG. The match will also be streamed live on Facebook (Rugby League Federation Ghana).

Source RLFG

The major sports media houses in Ghana, namely GTV Sports Plus, Obonu TV, Multimedia and UTV are supporting the 2021 Ghandour / WISA Awards.

The event which takes place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, September 25, 2021 has established massive media support from the TV and radio stations.

Others that have projected the event are Homebase TV, African Sports, AsaaseAban.Com Modern Ghana, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Guardian and News Ghana.

President of Women In Sports Association (WISA), Madam Gloria Commodore, said 48 personalities would be awarded on the day for their achievements. They include athletes, sports journalists, administrators and retired sports women.

Some of the awardees are the two females who represented Ghana at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Mackorley Tennis Sisters and the only female boxer who has won an international medal for Ghana.

She hinted that some musicians are coming to the programme to entertain guests, and prayed it would be another great sporting occasion.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

For the first time in AIBA’s 75-year history, medal winners at the forthcoming AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia will be rewarded with significant prize money from AIBA. The prize money fund has been set at $2,6 million USD.

The prize for first place is $100 000 USD. Silver medalists receive $50 000 USD, and both bronzes in each weight category receive $25 000 USD.

“It is the first time AIBA will reward medalists of the World Championships financially, and this is how it should be. This money is well-deserved taking into account the years of preparations required to earn a place at AIBA’s top tournament and the efforts made. We know this development will be a major benefit for our boxers. Not only should they be successful in the ring, but also self-sufficient and prosperous,” AIBA President Mr. Umar Kremlev said.

AIBA Secretary General Mr. Istvan Kovacs claimed that this initiative is important for the boxers who are working hard.

“AIBA provides its athletes a fair chance to earn a living as well as to have extra motivation. I know how much these possibilities mean for boxers. I am happy for those who are having this chance now, and to be leading the way AIBA is making these opportunities happen for today’s athletes. It’s a big step toward our big goal to build a sustainable boxing pathway,” he said.

The AIBA World Boxing Championships will start on October 24th with a grand opening ceremony at Štark Arena in Belgrade and reach a pinnacle with 13 finals on November 5-6.

Credit: AIBA

ACE Power Promotions will organize a press conference on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel to declare their next bill featuring  two UBO intercontinental titles on October 16, 2021.

Featuring are unbeaten Robert Quaye aka ‘Stopper’ and Holy Dorgbetor, the pride of the Volta region.

Quaye will meet Richard Amenfu for the UBO international super lightweight belt, while Dorgbetor faces Success Tetteh for the UBO intercontinental and Ghana featherweight titles respectively.

Quaye has an impressive record of 19-0, 16 KOs. Dorgbetor also has a record of 7-0, 5 KOs, and they hope to thrill and win at the attractive hotel who are partnering ACE Power to stage the bouts.

It is also an opportunity  for the boxers to put up good shows and boast tourism as well as business.

Details of the ACE Power Promotions’ partnership with La Palm Royal Hotel as well as full fight line-up for the event on October 16 are expected to be made public at a press conference at the plush beach hotel in Accra next Tuesday, September 21.

“We want to take the organisation of boxing in Ghana, West Africa and Africa as a whole to the next level,” said Isaac Amankwaah, General Manager of ACE Power Promotions.

“We will not disappoint, we are going to produce a world class show with about four titles on the bill on Saturday 16th October at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. It will not just be a good atmosphere but also very quality fights to excite boxing fans,” he stated.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Veteran British sports enthusiast, Dr. Andrew Carruthers has paid a working visit to the Ghana Olympic Committee GOC.

The professor from the University of Bradford, who loves running and photography  urged Ghanaians to engage in more sports disciplines and encouraged the youth to go into sports.

The widely traveled sportsman who has been to several international sports programs including the Olympic Games and World Championships was accompanied by a colleague, Janet from Rwanda.

He was welcomed by the director of operations at the GOC, Mohammed Shaban who is also the technical director of the Ghana Cycling Association.

He shared ideas with the staff of the GOC and advised the nation to select the best sports men and women to represent at the next Commonwealth Games, African Games and Olympic Games.

Dr. Carruthers congratulated members of Team Ghana at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and commended the Black Bombers for their wonderful performance which yielded a bronze medal and placed Ghana on the medals table.

He hailed Samuel Takyi and advised him to go to the next Olympic Games in 2024, and prayed that Ghana will host a successful African Games in 2023.

He urged the sports media to be positive and support the government in hosting the African Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ideowhyt events center at Dansoman will be the action sport on October 9^th 2021 when Cabic Promotions return with Big Fight Night involving Emmanuel Quaye and Boateng Agyeman for the National Middleweight Championship.

Other boxers on the bill are Felix Nunoo, Emmanuel Quartey, Kpakpo Allotey, Lesko Sossiya and Eric Awogah.

President of Cabic Promotions, Mr. Ivan Bruce Cudjoe expressed at a media briefing on the promotion said they are in the game for business and encouraged other businesses to support boxing.

He also called on the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to display all vacant titles, and allow boxers to challenge themselves for the public to know the best boxers in the nation.

The GBA President, Mr. Abram Neequaye promised to sanction good bouts.

He hailed the boxers and officials who represented Ghana at the Olympic Games and appealed to the government to invest in boxing as it has proved to be the nation’s backbone in sports.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) has inaugurated an11 member local organising committee to oversee the successful hosting of the 14th CANA African Seniors and Juniors Swimming and Open Water Championship at the Bukom International Pool (Trust Sports Emporium) in Accra and Akosombo.

The 14th CANA African Seniors and Juniors Swimming and Open Water Championship will be held from the 11to17th October, 2021, and Ghana got the nod to host the event after a successfully organising the CANA African Zone 2 Junior Championship at the same venue in March 2019.

The Eleven member committee are; Frederick Acheampong,Vivian Vinette Dougblor, Tamimu Issah, Dina Dankowaa Boateng, Sirina Mohammed, Saha Kambo-Lamptey, Seth Nti, Mrs Delphina Quaye, MrsHelena Williams, Mr. Charles Mensah and Ayishatu Farida Iddriss.

The President of the Ghana Swimming Association, Mrs. Delphina Quaye addressed the media about plans the association has for Ghanaians especially the swimming fraternity.

“With the experience and exposure from our  notable and noble people , I believe the 14th CANA African Seniors and Juniors Swimming and Open Water Championship will be one of the best” she assured.

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi commended the Swimming Association for being one of the five federations that were represented at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the swimmers did well.

He sworn in the LOC and assured the Swimming Association of full support from the NSA and Ministry of Youth & Sports.

Madam Saha Kambo-Lamptey, on behalf of the LOC urged the media to promote the event and appealed to corporate Ghana to support the international competition which will promote tourism in Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine