… New Astro Turf Plaque Unveiling On December, 24

Former captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Tornado Appiah will be the special guest at the Mamprobi Girls School on December, 24 when he will officially support the CEO of Coastal Development Agency (CODA), Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib and other dignitaries to unveil the plaque  to signify the naming of the super star after the new community sports and social facility.

Appiah who led Ghana to the first FIFA World Cup in 2006 will be joined by colleague star players to play in an exhibition match on his birthday.

Hon. Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib who is Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC)  said he is excited that the astro turf has been completed, and it will be used for all special outdoor activities.

He expressed that religious activities as well as engagements and weddings, and educational events can also take place on the facility.

The CEO of CODA described Stephen Appiah as a role model who grew up from a slum coastal area, Chorkor and he became a super star playing big time football for Accra Hearts of Oak, Udinese, Parma, Brescia, Juventus, Fenerbahçe, Bologna, Cesena and Vojvodina.

Appiah also featured for the National team Ghana U17, (Black Starlets), Ghana U20 Black Satellites and the Black Meteors and the Black Stars.

Hon. Shaib who is also President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation urged the youth of Ablekuma South and surrounding areas to emulate the positive deeds of the super star and make the name of Mamprobi, Chorkor, Korle Gonno and Korle Bu go high.

The world standard Astroturf was constructed by Blaze Investment Company Limited who have assured their commitment to embark on regular maintenance on the pitch when the need arises.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

0The former head of global athletics Lamine Diack, who presided over the sport from 1999 to 2015 but was later convicted for corruption, has died aged 88, his family told AFP.

The Senegalese was head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now renamed World Athletics.

Diack, who was also a powerful figure at the International Olympics Committee, was found guilty of corruption by a French court in 2020 for covering up Russian doping cases in exchange for bribes.

He was sentenced to four years in prison, of which two were suspended, and fined 500,000 euros ($560,000).

Lamine Diack, who has died aged 88, became embroiled in corruption after heading global athletics from 1999 to 2015

Source: AFP

Incumbent Ghana Boxing Federation President, George Lamptey seeks re-election at the amateur boxing governing body's elective congress in Accra on December 18.

Young sensational boxer from James Town, Mohammed Nii Aryeetey Aryeetey was the toast of fans as he defeated Isaac Quaye on points to win the vacant National Flyweight title at the Ga Mashie Hall of the Bukom Boxing Arena..

The judges scored card read 120-109, 120-109 and 120-109.

Stylish00 John Quaye also put up a good show to outpoint Seidu Yusif in their six rounds Super Featherweight contest.

Joseph Akai Nettey also became the new National Light Flyweight Champion when he put up a splendid performance against Isaac Aryeetey through a round 5 knock out after putting him down in round 2.

Sluggish Aduku Nsor was no match for bulky Osmanu Haruna as he could not live to expectation in their 12 rounds bout for the Ghana heavyweight title.

Both boxers did not please the fans, so the GBA did not give out the belt.

The promotion was organized by Winbase Promotions and sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Chavez still gets the same adrenaline rush the first time she stepped into the boxing ring 20 years ago.

Ghanaian female boxer Yakor Chavez Annan, who has been recently enstooled as a queen mother at Adjei Kotoku, one of the traditional areas of the Greater Accra traditional area, is determined to return to the ring to further pursue her undying desire in the noble art of self-defense.

The award-winning boxer, who has featured by international media in several boxing documentaries, has recently been enskinned as a queen mother with the stool name Naa Yaoley Atsiabroni at the Adjen Kotoku Nii Tsuru Manhya, New Town in the Greater Accra region.

Despite her new leadership role as a queen mother, Chavez, a cousin of former WBA welterweight champion Ike Quartey said that she is desperate to return to the ring under conditions of untold financial hardship being unleashed on her.

“Very soon I will take off my queen mother regalia, put everything aside and return to the ring to box again because boxing is my only way of feeding. It is the profession I learnt growing up but my queen mother role has placed a limitation on that but I will return soon,” she told Prof. Wallace on the SportsNite show.

In her 26 boxing bouts, Chavez has picked 12 wins, drawn 6, and lost 8 in the Super Banter Weight division.

Just like every other sporting discipline in Ghana recognition is a major problem and that worries Chavez. “Sometimes it’s painful when I show up at boxing events and I’m asked to buy a ticket to enter. It simply means recognition isn’t here. I was the first lady to take to ring in Ghana yet I don’t get recognised anywhere which isn’t good enough. It’s about time Ghana recognise our contribution to the sport,” she added.

Source – Asempa FM

For our gallant athletes, both past and present, I commend you immensely for your demonstrable determination and courage through the vehicle of sports for which you continue to inspire the world.

President of Africa Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, sends goodwill message on celebration of the International Day for Persons with Disability

The President of the Africa Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, has sent his goodwill message to disabled athletes in Africa and the world on the observance of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The 3rd of December every year is set aside as an international day for persons with disabilities, thus celebrating the gains so far in our collective effort to ‘’make for an all-inclusive world”.

As the world marks this important day and its milestone, I wish to salute all members of the disability fraternity especially the Paralympic movement on the continent of Africa, and the entire globe i.e. coaches, technical officials, administrators, managers, psychologists, medical personnel, classifiers, sport event organizers, governments and political leadership and volunteers for the selfless, and sacrificial services and diverse contributions towards the empowerment of persons with disability through sports.

For our gallant athletes, both past and present, I commend you immensely for your demonstrable determination and courage through the vehicle of sports for which you continue to inspire the world.

As we celebrate this day, let us be reminded that Persons with disabilities continue to face many challenges, including lack of equal opportunities to quality education, employment, transportation, health care, pubic infrastructure/facilities at all levels, trade, and business as well as access to sports and social welfare across the continent.

This notwithstanding, there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel with the IPCs Sports Against Stigma and I’mPOSSIBLE project initiative we shall surely use the power of sports to break the barrier of stigma against persons with impairment and promote inclusion in our societies.

Let’s use today’s occasion to propagate the message of inclusiveness in all spheres of life; access, mobility, and equality (equal opportunity) be re-echoed to our policymakers and implementers and be guided by the fact that, a percentage of the world’s population is made of people with physical impairment, visual impairment, intellectual impairment as well as hearing impairment whose contributions to national development cannot be overlooked.

A new page has been opened in Africa, which is of mutual, collective, and common interest and effort to overcome the numerous challenges confronting persons with disabilities.

Let us all put our shoulders to the wheels for a brighter future.

May this day be a watershed in our quest to transform the lives of all persons with disabilities and let future generations be proud of what we have fought and achieved thus far.

God bless us all.

Signed

(APC Communication)

Ghana have emerged champiobs of the 2021 Amputee African Cup of Nations hosted in Tanzania.

Enroute to the final, the Black Challenges defeated Egypt 3-0, beat Nigeria 4-0 in the quarterfinal before beating Angola 3-1 in the semi final.

Ghana overcame Liberia 3-2 in the final at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium on Saturday.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The amazing and energetic Young Boys of Kokompe defied all odds to emerge winners of the Spare Parts Dealers Tug of War Challenge which was held on Saturday December 4, 2021 at the Fadama Astro Turf.

Five strong teams including Sharkman, Americans, Engine Parts competed in the exciting competition which was graced by top sports personalities and a sizeable crowd, including Yours Truly.

After the first round of all pull all, four teams qualified for the semifinals where Young Boys and Black Bones went to the final.

It was a real test of resilience, stamina, energy, power and endurance as the Young Boys demonstrated their athletic characters to pull the hot favorites.

The joyful Young Boys received gold medals, certificates, drinks from 8pm and a giant trophy. Black Bones took the Silver medals and certificates. They were refreshed with products of the sponsors of the event.

President of Ghana Tug of War and CEO of Dreamland Sports Plus, the organisers Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams who is also Youth Coordinator of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) said the contestants have proved that the nation has talent in various sports fields, as they showed their readiness to be selected to represent the nation at the international level.

He congratulated the winners and urged them to train hard for subsequent competitions coming up.

Mr. William Ocansey, General Secretary of the Tug of War Association also commended the participants for their discipline and compartment.

Mr. C. Mckorley, Vice President of Association, a veteran sports organizer appealed to the 2023 African Games organizers to monitor all disciplines and find where Ghana is capable of winning medals to boast the nation's image.

He said sport is very entertaining and for fitness, and can be taken to a higher level with the support of the National Sports Authority, Ghana Olympic Committee GOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib has suggested that the new astro turf at Mamprobi should be named after Stephen ‘Tornado’ Appiah, the first Black Stars Skipper to lead Ghana to the FIFA World Cup in 2006 in Germany.

At a ceremony to open the park on Friday night, he thanked the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo for his vision in creating the Coastal Development Agency (CODA), and the Infrastructure For Porverty Alleviation Program which has benefited many communities in Ghana.

Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije  said the construction of the park is a positive development effort and good to have CODA chief from Ablekuma South is good.

He recollected coming up with an idea from Turkey, and expressed joy to see the construction of the astro turf in Mamprobi, a suburb of Accra noted for producing talented and skillful sportsmen and women.

"It is a blessing to see the field and flood lights. We aske for more blessings for Jerry Ahmed and Nana Akufo-Addo for this project " he stressed.

Best CEO Jerry Ahmed Shaib said the facility would not only  be used for football, but all social events and programs.

He disclosed that the government has put aside 1 million dollars project for development projects in communities and they are also building the Tuesday market and Chemunaa project in the Ablekuma Constituency.

In an exhibition match to open the park, Chorkor Fc were beaten 4-1 by James Town Fc.

Hundreds of sports fans trooped the field to witness the ceremony.

Nii Ashaley Asiku II, Mamprobi Manste, Hon Kwabena, Assemblyman for Mamprobi and Nii Lante Bannerman, Hon. Adjei Sowah former Mayor of Accra were there to witness the event.

The beautiful field was constructed by Blaze Investment Co. Ltd.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Lucozade - a global restorative beverage brand has joined the list of sponsors for the 2021 Sekondi-Takoradi Marathon fixed for Sunday, December 26.

The global brand will be the official Restorative Beverage Sponsor for the 21-Kilometer race from Essipong Sports Stadium to Amanful Main Spain.

Lucozade will refresh over 1000 athletes expected to participate in the race with the newly launched Lucozade Orange. which contains glucose and natural orange concentrate.

Mr. Henri Senyo Penni - General Manager of Medivents Consult, organizers of the event expressed appreciation to the company for the support.

He said the support would be of great benefit to all athletes and participants taking into consideration the nature of the products.

Mrs Gloria Ofori - Brands Manager of Lucozade Ghana and West Africa said the product restores energy when consumed especially after a tedious race like marathon.

She said the marathon fits into their brand’s strategy to promote active and healthy lifestyles, hence the decision to support the event, adding that the relationship with the event would be long term.

Rafimex Ghana Limited and Osons Chemists are the main distributors of Lucozade.

The STM is a collaboration between Medivents Consult and the Western Regional Coordinating Council with support from Total Marketing and Tours Limited.

From Sammy Heywood Okine