The 2021 Greater Accra Handball League commenced on Thursday, June 24 at the Prisons Handball Court with the opening game between Ghana Police and Kaneshie Royals Men.

Ghana Police, one of the security service giants hosted Kaneshie Royals, a civilian team. The first half was warmer as both teams struggled to score in the first 5minutes. With experience and good technical changes, Police ended the first half with a 16-9 scoreline.

Kaneshie Royals won 2 of their group games during the Open Championship which qualified them to the quarter-finals and they were arrested by Police. Police on the other hand were in the semi-finals and lost to Legonite.

The second half of the game was a give and take affair, fast break, and stealing balls from opponent. Injury forced Police officials to bench some of their key players like Amanor, Joseph, Tummasi among others.

32-23 final scoreline secured Police their first victory in the 2021 Handball league.

Police Felix Ayeetey was the top scorer with 8goals.

By Victoria Nana Adwoa Kwofie

Exciting Ghanaian female footballer, Emelia Lokko has joined AS Police of Niger to take part in the first edition of the 2021 West African Women’s Champions League in Abidjan, Cote d’Iviore from July 17 to 30.

The former Elmina Sea Lions winger and striker who loves goals said she is ready to play in the international competition and go on to shine.

She told Yours Truly her drive is to score for her new club to become champions of the new competition.

Emelia Lokko said female football is the emerging entertainment and business Africa.

She commended the West African Football Union (WAFU) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the new competition, and hoped to win.

AS Police of Niger has poached a number of Ghanaian players as they hope to win the event.

The clubs taking part in the continental competition are US Forces Armees of Burkina Faso, Rivers Angels of Nigeria, Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana, Onze Soeurs de Gagnoa, AS Police of Niger and Amis du Monde of Togo.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana's top athletes are to converge on the Coppin State University in Baltimore beginning this week for their preparation for the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

According to the CEO of Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Bawah Fuseini, an agreement has been reached for the Ghanaian team to pitch camp in the USA, where majority of the athletes are based, for a three-week pre-games dress rehearsal.

So far sprinters Joseph Paul Amoah and Benjamin Azamati have qualified to compete in the 100 metres and 200 metres sprints, as well as the men's 4x100 metres.

Nadia Eke is the only female track and field star to represent Ghana in Tokyo where she will compete in the triple jump event at the Jul 23 -- August 8 Games.

The GAA chief disclosed to the Graphic Sports that former Olympian, Dr Andrew Owusu, will supervise Nadia's training ahead of her maiden Olympic campaign.

Early this month, the Ghana Olympic Committee granted the athletics team an exemption for pre-games camping in Japan. While in the USA, the sprinters will be trained by Coppin University head coach, Carl Hicks, and also compete in a few meets before flying into Japan by July 16.

The choice of Coppin State University as camping centre was largely influenced by the presence of two members of Ghana's sprints quartet -- Amoah and Joseph Manu -- who together with Azamati and Sean Safo-Antwi qualified for the 4x100m at the Olympics during the World Relay Championship in Silesia, Poland.

Ghana was disqualified despite finishing third in the final in Silesia, as Manu was ruled to have received the baton from Azamati beyond the exchange zone.

This time, the GAA hopes that longer camping together under the guidance of Hicks and some pre-games competition will help improve the team's chances in the in Tokyo.

New sensation Azamati -- who was last week named the top male athlete of the Lone Star Conference -- will join the camp from his West Texas base, while Safo-Antwi is expected to fly into Baltimore from England to prepare for his second successive Olympic Games.

Azamati is currently Ghana's top track star after an impressive season with West Texas A&M University, setting a new national 100 metres record of 9.97 seconds and also running the next four fastest 100m times in NCAA Division II history during the season, including a 10.02 to win the outdoor title.

The camping arrangement has excited some of the athletes, notably Amoah who recently tweeted, "We might finally get the chance to practise this relay for more than two days."

Meanwhile, Mr Fuseini said he hoped that US-based sprinter Josephine Anokye and long jumper Deborah Acquah would make the qualifying marks for the Tokyo Games in the coming weeks.

Texas A&M University star Deborah has been in fine form in the NCAA Division I this season but has come short of the qualifying mark to make it through rankings.

Similarly, he said he hoped that Arizona State University's Josephine who had run some impressive times in the 200 metres would train with her male counterparts as she sought to lower her time in the longer sprints to make it to Tokyo with just three slots up for grabs.

By Graphic.com.gh

Accra Hearts of Oak returned to the top spot of the GPL with an imposing spectacle against Legon Cities on Thursday night at the Accra Sports Stadium

Bashir Hayford’s men started tougher creating numerous half chances in the early exchanges, but the Royals failed to convert and were punished by exciting Daniel Barnieh who created for Kwadwo Obeng Jnr to score.

The Phobians regained control after the first goal and doubled their lead through a long range effort from Frederick Ansah Botchway.

Legon Cities responded minutes later when Victorien Adebayor buried a free kick from improbable range to reduce the deficit.

The eagerness in the game dropped in the second half as chances were few as the Rainbow lads felt content with the result.

Samuel Boadu’s Phobia boys held on to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Hearts of Oak will face rivals Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash on Sunday, with their current motivation, they look favourites.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The Technical Director of the Ghana national boxing team, Dr. Akwasi Ofori Asare has stated that Ghana Amateur Boxing has improves massively and he thanks the Almighty for everything.

According to the only three star-rated amateur boxing coach in Ghana, eight Ghanaian boxers have been rated high in the world by AIBA, and three have qualified to the Tokyo Olympic Games, which is an improvement upon the last Olympic Games in Rio 2016 when only one boxer qualified.

He noted that the only boxer to qualify in 2016, Abdul Wahid Omar is a member is his Wisdom Boxing Club.

Coach Asare said some people want to tarnish his image and hard earned reputation, but he is not perturbed nor worried, because those people do not know how the team suffured to make it to the African Qualifiers which was a very tough competition, however most of the Black Bombers moved to the quarter finals.

He said the Black Bombers need motivation and inspiration at this time with just one month to the Olympic Games.

He thanked all those who have shown positive concern and donated to the upkeep of the team.

He said he had never handled the national team for 20 or 30 years as rumoured, but he is a problem solver, and anytime that things are not going well, he is called by the sports authorities to help, and as a patriotic citizen, he loves to support.

He was very optimistic that the Black Bombers will shine in Tokyo, saying that they have done very well even to qualify to the big stage.

President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), Mr. George Lamptey said Coach Asare is the best trainer at the moment and he should be encouraged.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) has hailed the election of Mrs. Delphina Quaye as the new president of the Ghana Swimming Association.

Mrs. Joyce Mahama, President of WOSPAG in a congratulatory message said they are very happy that a woman is leading the Swimming Association, and hoped that more women would be bold to contest to become leaders in sports.

She said the days when women in sports federations serve tea and hot chocolate has passes and now they want to be part of decision making.

Mrs. Joyce Mahama also commended all the females who were elected unopposed in the Association and urged them to offer their best in sports management and administration to see Ghana Swimming going higher.

She assured the new executive of WOSPAG support and appealed to the men in the sports federations to encourage their female counterparts.

She also wished Mr. Theo Wilson Edzie, the former President of Ghana Swimming well, and asked him to bring his experience on board to make the Swimming fraternity vibrant.

Meanwhile, WOSPAG will organize an Ampe Workshop for officials at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday. There will be a demonstration of the traditional sport which they want to add to the African Games in 2023.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian female footballer,  Mercy Amorkor Tagoe is preparing to make a name on the African continent.

The former Pearlpia ladies has moved to AS Police of Niger and she will participate in the first edition of the 2021 West African Women’s Champions League in Abidjan, Cote d’Iviore from July 17 to 30.

In an exclusive interview, the utility player who loves to feature in defence and on the wings said she is fully prepared and fit to play in the international competition.

She said her motivation keeps on souring every day and prays that her new club will become champions in 2021.

According to Amorkor Tagoe, female football is developing very fast elsewhere and Africa must catch up.

She commended the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the West African Football Union (WAFU) for the new initiative, and hoped it will help female players and clubs to expose their talented stars in the sub region.

The clubs taking part in the continental competition are US Forces Armees of Burkina Faso, Rivers Angels of Nigeria, Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana, Onze Soeurs de Gagnoa, AS Police of Niger and Amis du Monde of Togo.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The senator of the state of Illinois, John R. Connor has welcomed young amazing boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jnr and his family to the 43rd District office, Springfield, Illinois after he reached out to the family.

The 14-year old boxing shark, arguably the most covered juvenile boxer across the world caught the eyes of the senator of his state after winning the USA Nationals for the 8th time to earn an invitation to his office.

Senator John R. Connor told the family that he is personally overwhelmed by the dedication of Awinongya Jnr. and his achievements in the sport of boxing at his age and this must be encourage as well as inspire young people.

"I'm happy to receive you in my office and for making Joliet and the State of Illinois proud" Senator Conor said.

"You are a role model for your peers and inspiration to many" he added.

The senator discussed future projects he will undertake with Jojo and presented him a certificate of recognition by the state.

Awinongya Jnr in exchange signed an autograph for the senator. 

The 8x USA National Champion, 3x Silver Gloves Champion and 2x Jr Olympic Champion is looking forward to adding  to his collection and making history in the upcoming Jnr Olympics scheduled between 7th-17th July, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas.

Source - Team Awinongya

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah has commended three times Olympian, Mr.Emmanuel Tuffour for the ‘Project Athletics’ initiative and promised him of the GOC’s massive support to make the initiative a success.

Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports on Tuesday launched the Koora Sports Consult and its Flagship programme – Project Athletics, an initiative designed to unearth and groom talents.

The initiative is geared towards grooming athletes for the 13th Africa Games in 2023 in Ghana.

The new Deputy Minister recollected how Ghana used to dictate the pace in international athletics six decades ago, saying that, currently, Ghana struggles to qualify for competitions.

He mentioned that Ghana should drift from the Olympics’ philosophy which is to participate and focus on winning medals for the country to hoist the flag of Ghana.

Hon. Opoku Bobie said the government was committed to reviving schools and colleges sports to identify talents and develop the youth for Ghana’s benefit.

He pledged his support for the initiative and called on corporate bodies to come on board to support the noble course.

Mr. Emmanuel Tuffour aka ‘Koora’, a former Ghanaian sprinter and the brain behind the initiative said the aim of Koora Sports Consult is to create opportunities for the youth in Ghana including persons with disabilities, to realize their dreams through sports, particularly, athletics.

He stated that the “Project Athletics” would produce world-class athletes which start with identifying athletic talents and grooming them through Elite Athlete Development Pathway until they become world-class materials.

He added that, ultimately, the goal of “Project Athletics” was to establish KOORA Athletic Academy in Ghana that would select, camp, and train talented athletes including foreign athletes who want to benefit from the natural environment for training sprinters and jumpers.

He said “Ghanaians are endowed with a natural ability to shine in Sprinting and Jumping events. As you may have noticed, Kenyans are endowed with natural ability in long and middle-distance athletic events.

“Their achievement is not by accident but by design. In order to add value to their natural talent, numerous High Altitude Training Camps have been established in Kenya.

“In one and half year short term, Koora Sports Consult will embark on a massive Talent Identification Programme throughout the country. We would follow Schools and Colleges athletic programmes, GUSA and SESSA Programmes as well as Ghana Athletic Association Programmes. Needy but Talented athletes would be offered scholarships under the KOORA Talent Identification Programme.

“These athletes would be camped periodically and offered opportunities to compete in annual KOORA organized competitions or national competitions.

Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, a Civil Engineer and Politician with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who chaired the launch called for support for the youth in Ghana with athletic potentials.

The former Sports Presenter of ‘Sports Highlight’ expressed that track and field can be good for Ghana, so the youth with potentials should be encouraged.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General, Prof. Peter Twumasi also assured his readiness to support the course.

“We have the sporting facilities now and it will be put to good use. An office would be given for the project and that the NSA would support when called on.” He said.

The event was graced by Mr. Kwabena Yeboah, President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Mr. Sandy Osei-Agyemang, former Ghana Athletics Association President, Mr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Chairman for the 2023 Africa Games among other dignitaries.

Ghana Gas, Adonko Bitters, Ashfoam, Yazz, ADB, Goil, GNPC, Franko, NIB and other companies are supporting the project.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Teams who have qualified to the Round of 16 of the MTN FA cup competition will know their opponents after the draw which will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 live on Max TV.

The qualified teams have been grouped into two zones (Northern & Southern) considering the locations of the teams to avoid long distance trips for matches and to have more local derbies.

Eight Premier League sides sailed through from the Round of 32 and will join teams from the first and second divisions for the Tuesday’s draw.

Pending the determination of the misconduct case before the GFA Disciplinary Committee, both Legon Cities/Phar Rangers will be included in the draw with the eventual winner of their outstanding tie set to sail through to the Round of 16.

The qualified teams and how they have been grouped for the Round of 16 draw: