... Calls On Congress For Another Mandate To Finish Good Works

Dear Colleagues.

Let me first say a big THANKS to all of you, on behalf of the current board of the GOC and on my own behalf.  Its been 4 years of hard work with its own challenges, but through it all you stood by us,  worked to the best of your abilities, to ensure the modest success story we are telling today.

Secondly, as requested by most of you, I have duly put myself up to serve you again for another 4 years as President.

It is my fervent wish that you  will give me the mandate again, so we can continue to build on the success we have chalked, the support to the NFs and athletes  and the progressive changes we have brought, especially opening the the GOC up for all to feel part of.    You all made it possible.

A number of you who have also filed to contest for various positions in the forthcoming elections, have  endorsed my candidature and expressed the hope  of working with me as the  leader in a new GOC board, I also endorse all of you and I am  accordingly appealing to all  colleagues here  to give these aspirants your nod also, so i can have a team with a unity of purpose, a team with so much diverse strengths and backgrounds, and a team working for Ghana Sports and for all of us.

I am so grateful to all of you for your tremendous support  and prayers in the last 4 years, and more especially for being part of the success  story ( I will post a few here)

Thank you Colleagues.

God bless you.

BEN NUNOO MENSAH - PRESIDENT GOC

Cornel Marculescu is stepping down as FINA executive director after 35 years in the role ©Getty Images

Cornel Marculescu is stepping down as International Swimming Federation (FINA) executive director after 35 years in the role.

Effective from tomorrow, Marcela Saxlund Medvedev has been elevated to interim executive director, having previously been FINA's deputy executive director.

Marculescu's resignation was accepted by the FINA Bureau today at an online meeting.

FINA's leadership is set for a drastic overhaul this year as 85-year-old President Julio Maglione is due to step down in June after almost 13 years at the helm.

Marculescu, 79, who represented Romania in water polo at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, was also a qualified referee and officiated the Olympic final in 1972.

After almost a decade as technical director for the Spanish Swimming Federation, which included overseeing Madrid's staging of the FINA World Championships in 1986, Marculescu joined aquatics' global governing body later that year as executive director when it opened a first permanent office in Lausanne.

Marculescu's tenure as executive director has not been without controversy, with a prominent example coming at the Rio 2016 Olympics when the high-ranking official hugged Chinese swimmer Sun Yang at a medal ceremony.

Yang had been given a secret three-month doping ban two years before winning the 200 metres freestyle title, and FINA's attitude towards Sun has been a source of severe criticism from anti-doping advocates.

In 2018, when a member of his entourage smashed a blood vial with a hammer during an attempted drugs test, FINA let Sun off with a warning, by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration to Sport (CAS).

Cornel Marculescu's embrace of convicted doper Sun Yang, above, at Rio 2016 did not go down well with other swimmer and advocates for clean sport ©Getty Images

Cornel Marculescu's embrace of convicted doper Sun Yang, above, at Rio 2016 did not go down well with other swimmer and advocates for clean sport ©Getty Images

The CAS sided with WADA last year, banning Sun for eight years, only for the Swiss Federal Tribunal to lift that ban because Franco Frattini, head of the CAS panel, had sent racist, anti-Chinese tweets.

The CAS is due to hear the case again.

Marculescu was also in the role in 2010 when American swimmer Fran Crippen died during an open-water race in the United Arab Emirates, and a subsequent FINA Task Force reported there was "an urgent need for an organisational commitment to athlete safety as a top priority".

When the UAE hosted a FINA Marathon World Cup event five years later, the American team boycotted when Ayman Saad, who coordinated the race in which Crippen died, was named race director.

Marculescu has attended all 18 editions of the FINA World Championships in some capacity.

The same can be said for the last 14 Summer Olympic Games, from Tokyo 1964 to Rio 2016.

FINA said in a statement that "Bureau members recognised the outstanding devotion and role of Mr Marculescu in the development of Aquatics in the five continents, contributing to make our Sport a pillar of the Olympic Movement".

Source Insidethegames

Tokyo 2020 is to be held without international spectators ©Getty Images

Tokyo 2020 is to decide on the attendance of international spectators at the Olympic and Paralympic Games by the end of March.

The issue was at the top of the agenda during a five-party meeting today between Tokyo 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japanese Government, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee.

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto revealed a decision on international spectators would be made by the end of the March.

Hashimoto voiced a personal preference for the call to be made by March 25, before the start of the Torch Relay.

The capacity of each venue will then be decided on by the end of April.

During the opening remarks of the five-party meeting, IOC President Thomas Bach suggested that ensuring "safe, secure and fair competition" would take priority over other aspects of the Games.

"I think we all agree that we will focus on the Games," he said.

"That means mainly the competitions.

"This has to be the clear focus to have a safe, secure and fair competition for all the athletes, because this is the core of the Olympic Games.

"In this respect, we may have to set one or another priorities, and we have to be aligned in these priorities.

"I do not think this is a challenge because we agree on this principle."

Bach also pledged to ensure the safety of the Japanese population during the Games.

IOC President Thomas Bach has pledged to ensure the population of Japan during Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

"I think we also agree that it is key for the success of the Olympic Games that we have as the top priority the COVID-19 countermeasures, and that we are doing everything to ensure the safety of the Games for all participants, but also for the Japanese people and the population of Tokyo in particular," he said.

"There we are standing at your side, you have our full commitment.

"Because it is our interest as much as it is your interest, and it's our common obligation to secure the safety for everybody, including the Japanese people and the population of Tokyo.

"Therefore, the IOC is standing at your side without any kind of reservation in this respect."

Japanese newspaper The Mainichi had reported earlier that overseas spectators will be unable to attend Tokyo 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.

It has become increasingly likely in recent months that this will be the case, due to concerns that spectators entering Japan from around the world could cause a rise in coronavirus cases.

Tokyo is in a state of emergency due to the pandemic, but cases have fallen in the capital in recent weeks and measures could be lifted on Sunday (March 7). 

Around 4.48 million tickets for the Olympics have already been sold as well as 970,000 for the Paralympics, through the official ticketing website and various lotteries.

Tickets will be valid for 2021, with only 810,000 of Japanese ticketholders for the Olympics requesting refunds in December.

Sales of tickets were forecast to provide ¥90 billion (£602 million/$842 million/€696 million) in revenue.

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto has been a proponent of allowing spectators to attend the Olympics and Paralympics, albeit in limited numbers. 

By Nancy Gillen 

As at close of nominations for the upcoming Elective Congress of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) on Monday, March 1, 35 candidates have picked and submitted nomination forms to vie for the various positions on the GOC board.

Out of this number, only two were women.

Positions up for grabs on the GOC board were President, three Vice Presidents, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary-General, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, five representatives from Olympic Sports, one representative from non-Olympic sports and three other members elected by congress.

Incumbent President, Mr. Ben Nunoo-Mensah faces competition from the current Secretary General, Mr. Richard Akpokavie.

For the position of first Vice President, Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu from the Ghana Table Tennis Association who also served as the Chairman for the GOC’s Marketing sub-committee and Chef de Mission for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas would compete against the current Vice-President Mr. Paul Atchoe from the Ghana Volleyball Association.

Current Treasurer Mr. Frederick Otu Lartey from Ghana Taekwondo Federation is switching positions to vie for the second vice president against Mr. Evans Yeboah who is the current 3ed Vice President and is moving a step further. Evans was Ghana’s Chef de Mission for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey is contesting for the 3rd Vice-President of the GOC against President of the Ghana Fencing Association, Mr. Mohammed Mahadi.

The Secretary General position of the GOC is being contested by President of the Ghana Cycling Federation and Ghana’s Chef de Mission for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia Mr. Mohammed Saanon and President of the Ghana Squash Association, Rev. Richmond Quarcoo.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Athletics Association and President of the Ghana Triathlon Association, Mr. Bawa Fuseini would face-off with newly elected President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation and Ghana’s Chef de Mission for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games who is also the Chief Executive Officer for the Coastal Development Authority, Jerry Ahmed Shaib for the deputy Secretary-General position.

Ghana Football Association executive member  Mr. Frederick Acheampong would contest for the Treasurer position against Christopher Essilfie from the Olympians Association of Ghana while Isaac Aboagye Duah from the Ghana Tennis Federation and Christopher Darko-Amankrah from GAA would contest for the Deputy Treasurer Positiion.

The five representatives for the Olympic sports is being contested by Mr. Melvin Brown from Karate-do, Mr. Iddrisu Gamel Ayambire from Basketball, Mr. Kamal Sulley from Rowing and Canoeing, Dr. Ben K.D. Asante from Hockey.

The rest are, Mr. Francis Arthur from Triathlon, Mr. Albert Frimpong from Baseball, Madam Delphina Quaye from Swimming, Mr. George Okoe Lamptey from Amateur Boxing, Mr. Mike Aggrey from Golf and Mr. Emmanuel Tetteh from the Judo Federation.

The non-Olympic sports representative has Abdul – Haye Yartey from Bodybuilding and while the representative for National Federations affiliated to GOC will be contested by Samuel Ayer from SESSA and Dr.Bella Bello Bitugo from GUSA.

Additionally, three other members who will be elected by congress are; George Owusu Ansah from National Sports for All, Philip Elikem Ameku from Chess, Mrs. Jamirah Hamid Mahama from Women in Sports, Michael Nkow Ayeh from GES, Rev. Emmanuel Dzani Nii Quaye from Netball and Emmanuel O. Asare from Cricket.

However, the number of applicants may be reduced or maintained depending on the outcome of vetting by the Election Commission on Monday, March 8, 2021.

The GOC Elective Congress is fixed for Monday, March 15.

By GNA

Ghana coach Karim Zito is sad his boys will not get the opportunity to showcase their talents at the biggest stage in youth football as the FIFA U-20 World cup has been cancelled.

The tournament was cancelled by the world football governing body due to the coronavirus pandemic.

FIFA announced the decision two months before the Black Satellites enplaned to Mauritania for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The team have exceeded expectations by reaching the final. Zitos’ team beat Gambia 1-0 on Monday courtesy of a Percious Boah free-kick and will face Uganda in the final on Saturday.

Speaking after the game, Zito said: “We won so we are happy but the only sad story is we are not going to the World Cup”

“I had wanted to visit the world and see how nice and beautiful it is to play at the world cup. But both of us are proud that at least we have qualified for the world, is a history that will be laid down that 2021 there was U-20 AFCON, these countries qualified for the world but due to covid-19, it was cancelled” he concluded.

U-20 AFCON serves as a qualification to the world tournament, with the top four teams earning tickets to represent the continent.

Ghana is the only African country to have won the U-20 World Cup, achieving the historic feat in 2009.

Paralympics are less than six months away ©Getty Images

A dedicated Tokyo 2020 anti-doping webpage has been launched by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in advance of this year's Games.

The resource features links to the Tokyo 2020 Doping Control Guidebook and IPC Anti-Doping Code, as well as information on the latter.

A rundown of educational resources including PlayTrue2020 - a Tokyo 2020 legacy project led by the Japan Anti-Doping Agency and Japanese Government that promotes the values of clean sport - is another element.

Information on doping control, athlete whereabouts, and Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) system is also included, along with links to World Anti-Doping Agency resources.

"It's important that the IPC launches this webpage, as we want everyone, from athletes to coaches, NPCs [National Paralympic Committees] to IFs [International Federations] and medical professionals to support staff, to understand the significance and intricacies of anti-doping - and to arrive at Tokyo 2020 well prepared," said IPC anti-doping director James Sclater.

"With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games fast approaching, we need to ensure everyone involved is well-informed and understand their rights and obligations prior to the Games."

The Paralympics are due to run from August 24 to September 5.

By Ali Iveson 

Accra Hearts of Oak board chairman and majority shareholder Togbe Afede has announced the signing of Ibrahim Salifu.   

The Eleven Wonders star Ibrahim Salifu was introduced on Monday to the Hearts of Oak family.

The 20-year old arrived in the capital on Friday to finalize his move to the Ghana Premier League giants after undergoing medicals.

Ibrahim has signed a three-year contract with the Phobians.

Reports in the media indicate Ibrahim nicknamed “Di Maria” will receive Ghc 3,500 as monthly salary.

Salifu trained with the team for the first time on Friday ahead of the official announcement to be done by the club.

Salifu has earned four consecutive Man of the Match Awards during the start of the season.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Abdul Haye- Yartey, President of the Ghana Bodybuilding Association has filed his nomination to contest for the one Non-Olympic sports slot in the upcoming Ghana Olympic Committee election scheduled for March 15.

Mr Yartey who also doubles as the president of Cheetah Football Club Chairman, is a force to reckon within Sports branding in Ghana.

Mr Yartey has greatly contributed to the success story of the Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Association. In his over 10 years of stay in office as the president of the Association, Yartey got GBFA inaugurated by the National Sports Authority and also saw to the affiliation of the association to the International Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (IFBB).

He also introduced competitive events like Man Ghana, which has become one of the most popular sporting events in Ghana.

The success of Ghana Bodybuilding can be equated to that of his football club, Cheetah FC. The division two club based in Kasoa is the only Ghanaian club to own a club store.

The club can also boast of an ultramodern club office and a 115×72 Astro Turf Pitch. The predator as they are popularly called was named amongst the top 10 clubs in Africa following FIFA’s 2020 Global Transfer Market Report.

Drawing inspiration from successes chalked from his two sporting disciplines, Yartey believes he can contribute a lot to the Ghana Olympic Committee when voted onto the executive board.

“Anybody who knows me knows how I have raised Ghana Bodybuilding from zero because there was no Bodybuilding Association and we fought very hard to get the National Sports Authority to inaugurate the bodybuilding association in 2007 and from then we have given bodybuilders the hope to achieve their dream”

”We serve the sports people and we have given them the hope to believe and achieve in sport and this is what we are going to sell to executive members if I am electe”

“To be honest, I go into elections to let the people decide based on what I have done and what they want me to do for them. And I believe on the day, I will carry the day.” He concluded.

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Rex Brobbey, a member of the local organizing committee (LOC) for 2023 African games has hinted that Team Ghana will be assembled by the close of the year 2021.

The 13th edition of the African Games is expected to be held in three cities in Ghana in the year 2023 and reminiscing on the past participation by Ghana in the tourney, the LOC believes the earlier they put a team together the better for the country.

“The plan is to have team Ghana assembled by the end of this year. Normally they wait till the last minute one week or two before, but this is two years before the event and we have already met all the forty-five sports associations knowing that we are only going with twenty-five or more”.

“We have come up with that blueprint, we’ve asked so many questions, answers to those questions will tell us what they need, what help they need from us, how much money they will need and so on and so forth. We are putting all that together to give to the president and say if we are to win the medals this is what we would need to do”, Rex added

He also hinted on plans put forth for proper preparations to be undertaken by the respective teams

“Some of them we have identified countries we want to take some of the athletes to. Once the minister is sworn in and takes office, we start working on it”, He said.

Source – Happy Sports

Grace Nyanyuie Tomegah produced a stunning performance to beat Akua Akoma Hansen 6-3,2-6,6-0 in the Ladies Challenger Series final on Friday at the National Tennis Center, Accra.

The weeklong program was organized by Second Serve Tennis Shop, a subsidiary of Tennis Foundation Ghana with support from Bebiees Events and ITAKOL.

"I have to congratulate Akua. She played a wonderful match and she really pushed me," said Grace.

Grace gave up the first break of serve at 3-1 with three double faults, before reeling off five straight games as Akua Hansen racked up the errors bringing the set to an end at 6-3.

Two brilliant cross-court backhands gave Akua Hansen an early break in the second set. Grace recovered from 3-1 down but Akua Hansen maintained her momentum to win the second set 6-2. Grace went up 5-0 in the final set and served for the victory there.

The result means Grace Tomegah moves up to number 5 in the Tennis Foundation Ghana (TFG)/Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) rankings.

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh