Opening Ceremony

Ghana’s contingent to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stole the show at the opening ceremony parade at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium in Japan on July 23, 2021with flag bearer, Nadia Eke displaying her golden nose mask and fashionable foot steps.

In spite of the Covid 19 challenges, the 32nd Olympiad was held successfully in Tokyo. Ghana was represented by 14 Ghanaian athletes, all of them made positive advances in their respective sporting disciplines.

Ghana was represented in Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Swimming and Weightlifting. After training in Inawashiro Japan and Baltimore USA, the committed athletes set new national records and personal bests to prove that they were really among the best in the world, and it is worth representing the African nation with 30 million people at this year’s Olympic Games.

Generally, it  could be described as one of the most successful outings by Ghana in recent as the nation had nothing in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.

Boxing

Boxing has always been the hope of the nation, and for the first time in 29 years, the sport of boxing once again placed Ghana on the medal table after Samuel Takyi won bronze in the men’s featherweight division, having reached the semi-final stage.

Despite losing to America’s Duke Ragan in the semis, Takyi joins the likes of Prince Amartey (Bronze), Clement Quartey (Silver) and Eddie Blay (Bronze) who have all won medals at Olympics for Ghana .

Sulemanu Tetteh who was making his second appearance at the Olympics having debuted in London 2012 could only reach the round of 16 having defeated Domincan Republic Boxer Rodrigoi Marte de la Rose in the flyweight division.

Shakul Samed who drew a bye in the Round of 32 couldn’t progress into the quarter-finals after he suffered a knockdown against Turkish boxer Bayram Maikan in the Round of 16 of the men’s heavyweight division.

Ghana was the only African nation that had a medal in boxing – a splendid achievement for the continent.

Field and Track

Nadia Eke who was Ghana’s flag bearer at this year’s Olympics competed in the women’s triple jump event but couldn’t progress to the next round.

The experienced jumper made three illegal attempts during her sessions therefore had to exit the competition having subsequently retired from the sport.

Benjamin Azamati who holds the national record of 9.97s in 100m could only place fourth in the Heats with a time of 10.13s as he couldn’t progress to the semi-finals.

Joseph Paul Amoah came third in the men’s 200m heat with an impressive time of 20.35s which enabled him feature in the semis but missed out on a place in the finals having finished fourth.

Ghana’s quartet of Sean Sarfo-Antwi, Benjamin Azamati, Emmanuel Yeboah aka ‘T 20’ and Captain Joseph Paul Amoah reached the finals of the men’s 4x100m for the first time since Atlanta1996 with an impressive 38.08 to set a new national record.

Regrettably, the quartet could not perform as expected as they placed 7^th and were disqualified for baton exchange in the wrong area on the track.

Local based and winner of Ghana Fastest 2021, Sarfo Ansah and Joseph Manu were the reserves of the 4×100 relay team.

Swimming

In swimming, Abeiku Jackson who was making his second appearance at Olympic Games after Rio 2016 came first in the heat of the 100m Butterfly beating his 53.53 seconds to set a new West African and National record, but his time of 53.39 seconds was not fast enough to progress to the next stage of the competition.

16 years old Female swimmer Unilez Takyi who was the youngest athlete, and holder of the national record in the 50m freestyle (27.49s) placed eight in the heats with a time 27.85 seconds, and she was also unable to press to the next stage of the event.

Weightlifting

Ghana’s only weightlifter at this year’s Olympics, Christian Amoah was making his second appearance at the Olympic Games after Rio, 2016.

He met stronger contenders and could manage to place fourth in Men’s 96kg category with a snatch of 145kg and Clean & Jerk of 170 totalling 315 which could not aid his progress to the next round.

But Amoah moved from 148^th to the 12^th position, which is the good news

Judo

Sensei Kwadjo Anani who represented Ghana in the 90kg could not progress to the next round of the competition having lost to a more experienced South Korean Gwak Dong-Han.

Despite the setback, Sensei Kwadjo who got injured in training before his event is one of the most successful Judo athletes in Ghana having won a silver medal in the African Championships in Senegal.

Officials

Team Ghana was led by Chef de Mission, Mr. Michael Aggrey, Administrator Miss Farida Iddriss, Covid Laison Office (CLO) Captain Rtd Haruna Adamu, Two Medics; Dr. Jonathan Quartey and Dr. Julia Derban, One Press Attache Sammy Heywood Okine and Seyram Fortune, Interpreter.

Coaches: Athletics - Andrew Owusu and Julius Baba, Boxing - Dr. Ofori Asare and Vincent Akai Nettey, Swimming - Daniel Opare, Weightlifting-  Kyle Pierce (American), Judo -Victorio Serenelli (Italian).

The five disciplines were represented by their respective Presidents: Athletics; Mr. Afelibiek Ababu, Boxing; Mr. George Lamptey, Swimming; Mrs Delphina Quaye, Judo; Mr. Emmanuel Tetteh, Weightlifting was represented by former President, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah as current President, Jerry Ahmed Shaib could not attend.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) invited Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and Secretary General, Mohammed Sahnoon.

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif was in Japan briefly to motivate the athletes and returned, leaving behind Diector General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Professor Peter Twumasi, and Ms Francisca Atuluk, Deputy Director (the Exchequer) at the MYS.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Friday announced a USD 10,000 winning bonus for Samuel Takyi, Ghana’s only medalist at the just ended 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Takyi, would additionally get a car, and a USD20,000, which would be put in a career development fund for him for the next Olympic games and future tournaments.

All other members of the team would get a USD5,000 bonus for their efforts.

President Akufo-Addo made the announcement when the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) called at the Jubilee House, Accra to present the medal to him.

The entire team, including the trainers of the athletes, the technical and management officials, would share a total of USD150,000.

Takyi, a 20-year-old boxer, won a bronze medal in the men’s featherweight division in the games after losing to Duke Reagan of the United States of America (USA) in their semi-final duel.

The boxer is the first medalist from Ghana to have won a medal in any sport since the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 when the men’s football team won bronze.

He is also the fourth Ghanaian boxer to get a podium place in individual sports in the history of the games

Takyi is now ranked fourth in the world, and first in Africa in the featherweight division of the sport.

President Akufo-Addo the package was a show of appreciation to the Olympic team for its sterling performance in the games.

He said though the team did not bring back many laurels, the individual performance put up by the 14 athletes that represented Ghana at the Olympics was one of the best in the history of the Games.

“For the first time in 29 years the Ghanaian flag was raised at the Olympic games, and for the first time ever in Ghana’s history of the Games, Ghana’s athlete, Samuel Takyi, was selected to represent Africa at the closing ceremony of the Olympic games,” he said.

“Out of the 52 countries that participated in the games, Ghana placed 10th on the African standings,” an elated President Akufo-Addo stated, saying, “this should spur us on to greater heights in future competitions.”

On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, I say a big hearty ayekoo to each one of you on this performance. You have made all of us in Ghana very proud,” he said.

The President told the gathering that the Government, through the Ministries of Education, and the Youth and Sports, is committed to promoting sports in schools, and will continue to provide the requisite infrastructure to enable the country to regain its pride of place in sports on the African continent.

With the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, just around the corner, he charged the Youth and Sports and all stakeholders to put in the necessary measures to ensure “We improve on our performance over the Australia 2018 Commonwealth games.”

President Akufo-Addo also wished Ghana’s Paralympic team that is already at its training base in Japan, the best of luck, as they also prepared to lift Ghana’s flag high in the paralympic games in that country.

Source: GNA

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, says the Ministry intends to build on the encouraging success chalked at the just-ended Olympics Games in Tokyo.

The Tokyo Olympics, with 14 athletes representing Ghana in four disciplines, marked the most successful Olympics for the country in the 4th Republic.

Boxer Samuel Takyi ended Ghana’s Olympic medal drought in 1992 while the country’s 4×100 relay team qualified for the finals with a new national record, with weightlifting and swimming disciplines setting national records, too.

Speaking during the Olympic Team’s visit to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Friday, Mustapha Ussif stated that Ghana will build on the remarkable feat and prepare well for the upcoming games.

The Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif said he has already started discussions with partners to aid Ghana’s preparations for upcoming competitions, especially the 2023 Africa Games, which will be hosted by Ghana.

“Your Excellency, my brief stay in Tokyo with the team afforded me the opportunity to meet with heads of various International sports Federations to solicit their support for the 2023 African Games in Accra,”Mustapha Ussif revealed.

“We do not only want to stage the most successful African Games ever, but we also want to build on the impressive performance of Team Ghana at the Tokyo Olympics by doing much better at African Games in 2023,” he said.

But before that, Ghana will participate in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year, and the Sports Minister noted further that the Ministry will collaborate with stakeholders for preparations to start in earnest.

President Akufo-Addo expressed his delight at the performance of the team, especially registering the first Olympic medal for Ghana in the 4th Republic.

The President announced a reward package of $5000 US Dollars for each member of the team. For boxer Takyi, who won bronze, the President said the state will reward him with $10,000 cash, a car and another $20,000, which will be invested for his career development and preparations for future competitions.

The acting vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana Nana Aba Appiah Amfo met with a delegation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to discuss ongoing plans to use the institution as a hub for the 2023 African Games.

During the visit from the delegation, led by Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, the team inspected ongoing work at various sports facilities on the campus.

These included the University of Ghana Stadium, the rugby field and the warm-up athletics track.

Gianluca Ramella, deputy manager of Consar Ltd. who is in charge of the engineering projects, took the Ministry of Youth and Sports delegation and the University of Ghana team around the sites.

Ussif added that the two teams discussed youth development in Ghana during the visit too.

The University of Ghana Stadium is being re-developed to meet standards for hosting the 2023 African Games.

The athletics track is being upgraded to international standard, there will be an expansion of the stadium capacity, a new warm-up track and football pitch and a rugby field.

"After touring the facility, I'm confident it will be ready in time for the utilisation of our athletes towards the hosting and organisation of the 13th African Games in Ghana," said Ussif.

Initially, there were plans to build a new Olympic Stadium in Accra, but this was shelved due to construction delays caused by COVID-19 - instead opting for the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon.

The Government of Ghana recently looked to borrow $170 million (£125 million/€145 million) for the African Games, according to GhanaWeb, with the loan intended to go towards the cost of sports and residential infrastructure.

The loan is to be provided by Cal Bank, and is being scrutinised by the Finance Committee of the Ghanaian Parliament.

Ghana was awarded the Games in 2018, beating Nigeria and Burkina Faso to the bid.

The last African Games took place in the Moroccan capital Rabat in 2019.

By Michael Houston

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif has commended Ghana’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team as the best in the 4th Republic.

The team, recorded impressive feats, including breaking national records in the men’s 4×100 metres relay, weightlifting and swimming, as well as ended the nation’s Olympic medal drought in nearly three decades.

Ussif, who led the Olympic team to the Jubilee House to meet with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had words of praises for the continent.

He recounted the success story of the team in the various disciplines, and concluded by referring to their feat as “the most successful Olympic team in the 4th Republic.”

The team which won a bronze medal in the Men’s Featherweight Division also chalked several successes, including Abeiku Jackson of the Swimming discipline setting a National and CANA Zone 2 record (West and Central Africa) of a 53.39s in the 100m Butterfly event, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Amoah, Emmanuel Yeboah, and Sean Sarfo-Antwi also making it to the final of the 4x100m relays for the first time since Atlanta 1996, with an impressive 38.08s National record.

The Minister also highlighted support the Ministry of Sports provided the team, including supporting their preparations and also paying per diems and qualification bonuses promptly.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in his speech congratulated the team for their individual and collective achievements and pledged his unflinching support towards the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year and the African Games which will be hosted in Ghana 2023.

He also announced a $5,000 reward for each member of the team, a $10,000 reward for the 20yrs bronze medalist, Samuel Takyi and a $20,000 investment fund towards the development of his career.

The President in thanking the team for making the country proud, also admonished them to put in their best to win more medals in the coming tournaments.

Ghana Olympic team is currently ranked 79th out of the 206 countries competing in the Olympic games. Ghana last won a bronze medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics with the U23 Men’s football team.

Takyi joins the likes of Clement Quartey, a light welterweight who won silver at Rome 1960, Eddie Blay a bronze light-welterweight medallist at Tokyo 1964 and Prince Amartey a bronze middle-weight medalist in Munch 1972 to make history for the country at the boxing discipline of Olympics Games.

Source – myjoyonline.com

The Programmes Manager of OlympAfrica, Yaye Ndlate Sail has paid a working visit to Ghana.

Her visit took her to the Olymp Africa project site at Amasaman in the company of Youth Coordinator of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams.

She also met Ghana’s Bronze Medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Samuel Takyi together with Coach Asare and the GOC President, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah at the Alisa Hotel.

Yaye Ndlate Sail congratulated the young boxer for making Ghana and Africa proud.

She promised that OlympAfrica will support Ghana to put up sports facilities that would be used by the youth.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

After a exhilarating seven months tour of 52 Senior High Schools for the Vim National Schools Sanitation Inspection Tour - Season 7, One-On-One Foundation on Thursday made a surprise presentation to the Kaneshie Awudome 1 & 3 Junior High Schools in Accra.

The assorted items included minerals, Rexona Deodorant, Vim All Purpose Cleaner, Vasline Lotion, Sunlight Dish Wash, Key Brillant Soap, Omo, Exercise Books, Veronica Buckets, Dust Bins and Files.

CEO of One-On-One Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams said the presentation to two JHSs was for thanksgiving and a demonstration that in the coming seasons other schools at the grassroots will benefit.

He thanked Unilever Ghana, the main sponsor of the Schools Sanitation Tour which involves information and education on the deadly Coronavirus, environmental and personal hygiene.

He commended the other collaborators like the Ministries of Education, Sanitation and Water Resources as well as the students and teachers who participated and supported the programme.

Mr. William Ocansey, Communications Director of One-On-One Foundation lectured the students of the effects of Covid 19 and the products of Unilever Ghana.

Head teacher of the Kaneshie Awudome JHS, Mr. Bismark Owusu thanked the Foundation and the sponsors, he expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s Alfred Lamptey aka ‘Bukom Bomber’ who holds the West African Super Featherweight title has promised to knock out Tanzania’s Iddi Kayumba when the meet on September 4, 2021 for the WBO Youth World and WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Championship.

Speaking a the Press Lunch of the bout at the MultiChoice office in Accra, he thanked Box Office Promotions for the opportunity and the Black Panthers Gym members and coaches for preparing him towards the fight.

He also thanked his sponsors Ashfoam Ghana and Lucozade, and asked boxing fans to come to the Bukom Boxing Arena on time as he will not waste time to go the full rounds.

“I will knock out Iddi Kayumba, so I want all the boxing fans to come early to see how I will do it. I promise to go on to win the world titles and lift high the flag of Ghana” he said.

Ace promoter, Alex Ntiamoah’s Box Office Sports Promotions is staging the "Journey To Conquest" show on September 4th at the Bukom Boxing Arena with support from the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, GIPC, Ashfoam Ghana, Truth Marketing and DSTV who are going to beam it live in over 30 countries.

President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Mr. Abraham Neeqquye said "the new" WBO Youth World and World Boxing Council Youth World Silver Super Featherweight Champion belts have to stay in Ghana, so the Authority will ensure that there is a good fight with maximum security .

The Supervisor for the bout, former GBA President, Mr. Samir Captan prayed for an exciting fight and advised Lamptey to dream big, deliver in the ring and excel as Tanzanian boxers are not push overs.

CEO of DSTV Ghana (MultiChoice Africa), Mr. Alex Okyere expressed joy to be part of another historic moment and reaffirmed commitment to Box Office, one of the best boxing promoters in Africa. He assured the sports fans will enjoy the bout and others including football and entertainment on their channels.

Coach Eben Adjei aka ‘ Killer’ said they have prepared well for the Championship and will keep the two titles in Ghana.

Iddi Mustafa Ally Said alias Kayumba is a 23 year old southpaw, a nationality of Tanzania with 13 wins, 3 loses and 2 draws in 18 fights, while Alfred Lamptey, 19 who is also called ‘Show Time’  has won all his eight fights.

Fight fans will pay 30ghc, 100ghc and 200ghc for General, VIP and VVIP respectively to watch the bout live.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Katie Sadleir will become Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive in November ©Getty Images

Katie Sadleir has been appointed the new chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), moving to the role after five years as World Rugby's general manager of women's rugby.

The New Zealander is set to take up the position in November, making her the first female to do so.

Sadleir, a Commonwealth Games medallist and Olympian, will be the CGF's first chief executive since David Grevemberg, who stepped down in March.

"I am delighted to be taking up the CGF chief executive officer role at what is very exciting time for the Commonwealth Sport Movement," said Sadleir.

"With Birmingham 2022 fast approaching and the Games nearing its centenary in 2030, there is a fantastic opportunity to enhance our global sporting movement as one that is fully focused on community legacy, benefit and impact through sport.

"I look forward to working with my new colleagues at the CGF, CGF Partnerships and Commonwealth Sport Foundation.

"I am also excited to closely collaborate with our Commonwealth Games Associations, International Federations, Games Organising Committees, Host City Partners and Commonwealth institutions to help achieve our collective goals."

Sadleir has a mixed background as both an athlete and sports administrator, representing New Zealand in artistic swimming at the Los Angels 1984 Olympics before winning a bronze medal in the women's solo two years later when Edinburgh staged the Commonwealth Games.

For the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games, Sadleir was New Zealand's deputy Chef de Mission.

David Grevemberg, who had served as chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation since 2014, stepped down in March ©Getty Images

Sadleir helped to establish the New Zealand Academy of Sport network later that decade before becoming general manager of Sport and Recreation New Zealand - now known as Sport New Zealand - from 2000 to 2006.

The 56-year-old has been general manager of women's rugby at World Rugby since 2016 and is credited with developing and enacting a 2017-2025 strategic plan to promote, grow and commercialise the women’s game.

Aside from the upcoming Games in Birmingham, Sadleir's most pressing task will be finding a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Hamilton in Canada had been favoured by the GCF to stage the event, but has dropped out of the race to again focus on the 2030 edition after being unable to obtain Government support.

The centenary of the Commonwealth Games falls in 2030, and the Ontario city held the first-ever edition of the event in 1930, when it known as the British Empire Games.

Martin Reynolds, who has been acting as the CGF's executive director since Grevemberg departed, leading the organisation's management team, will remain in the post until Birmingham 2022.

"Following an extensive global search, the CGF are excited to be welcoming Katie Sadleir as our new chief executive officer," CGF President Dame Louise Martin said.

"As a former athlete and experienced administrator across multiple sports, Katie was the outstanding candidate for the position in what was a high-quality field.

"She will play a leading role in driving the future strategic direction of our organisation through Birmingham 2022 and beyond.

"We look forward to Katie joining us later in the year."

There is less than a year to go until the 2022 Commonwealth Games which is scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 8.

"It’s wonderful news that Katie Sadleir has been confirmed as the new CEO for the Commonwealth Games Federation and my team and I are very much looking forward to working with her over the next 12 months," said Ian Reid, chief executive of Birmingham 2022.

"I am sure that the knowledge and insight that Katie has gained through competing at and attending numerous editions of the Commonwealth Games will prove to be invaluable to us, as we finalise our preparations for delivering a spectacular Games in the summer of 2022."

By Owen Lloyd 

President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Mr. Frederick Lartey Otu has congratulated Team Ghana for the discipline and comportment at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which was climaxed with a Bronze Medal, the first time in 29 years.

Mr. Frederick Lartey Otu, who is the second vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) also commended the leadership of the contingent including the appearance of the Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif who joined in supporting the boxers and the classic media coverage by an experienced media practitioner.

He hailed Yours Truly for the massive and exclusive media coverage and Samuel Takyi, the boxing hero.

He expressed that the nation boast of many unknown talents who must be supported and prepared for big competitions like the Olympic Games. He commended the Ghana Boxing Federation for preparing the Black Bombers who went and made Ghana proud.

He urged Ghanaians to support the disabled athletes who are going for the Paralympic Games, also being held in Tokyo.

By Sammy Heywood Okine