FIFA opens application window for women's Coach Education Scholarships | © Getty Images

Member associations can now apply for additional support and access to coaching resources for eligible coaches and players who hold at least a C Licence; New FIFA scholarships (www.FIFA.com) to offer funding to help empower more female coaches, as well as players looking to gain further coaching qualifications during or after their playing careers.

Following the launch of the FIFA Women’s Development Programme last year and in line with its overall objective of developing more qualified female coaches in the game, FIFA has announced today that the application process for Coach Education Scholarships is now open.

Under the project, which is one of eight available within the FIFA Women’s Development Programme (https://fifa.fans/2PU6UuD), member associations can now apply for Coach Education Scholarships for eligible individuals, including talented coaches and players who are looking to gain further coaching qualifications.

As part of the scholarships, which aim to empower more female coaches to gain further coaching qualifications, FIFA will provide financial support for successful applicants to cover the cost of their coach education courses. The successful applicants will also have access to online mentoring and other coaching resources that will further assist their coaching development.

The application process for Coach Education Scholarships starts today and will be one of two application windows in 2021, whereby every member association can put forward one candidate per application window. The closing dates for the two application windows are as follows:

30 June 2021 – closing of the first application window

31 October 2021 – closing of the second application window

To apply for the Coach Education Scholarships, member associations should submit the completed application form (https://fifa.fans/3erloMe) and the required documents of their eligible applicants.

For more information on how to apply and eligibility requirements for the Coach Education Scholarships, please click HERE – (https://fifa.fans/3b9yGe3).

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

Callum Hudson- Odoi of Chelsea Football Club in England has considered playing  for the Ghana national team, the Black Stars

The 20 year old was at the Jubilee House, the seat of government with Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who tasked the Youth and Sports Minister to commence process for the crafty winger for a possible nationality switch to represent the top African football nation at the senior level.

The English-born of Ghanaian descent paid a courtesy call to the Ghana's Presidency on Monday.

Hudson-Odoi visited President Nana Addo with his family members and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif.

A statement from the Presidency, [Jubilee House] read, "On Monday, 7th June 2021, Ghanaian-born Chelsea footballer, Callum Hudson-Odoi, paid a courtesy call on me at Jubilee House, the seat of our nation's presidency."

"Amongst others, I urged the Minister for Youth and Sports to explore the possibility of having Callum switch nationality, and play for the Black Stars."

The 20-year-old has been a long-term target of the Ghana Football Association to consider a nationality switch despite capping three times for England at the senior level.

Despite playing for England’s U16, U17, U18, U19, U21 and senior teams, Hudson-Odoi can still choose to play for Ghana per the new FIFA eligibility rules.

Hudson-Odoi was born to Ghanaian parents in London, his dad Bismark Odoi featured for Ghana Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak.

Hudson-Odoi was part of the Chelsea team to win the Champions League. He’s the youngest player to ever win both the Champions League and Europa League.

In all competitions, Hudson-Odoi made 32 appearances for the London based club where he managed to score four goals with three assists in the just-ended season.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif has revealed that the new leadership of Ghana Sports will reward sportsmen and women based on their performance.

He said the Ministry is giving equitable attention to all sports, which is the desire of the president, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a keen sports lover.

He was speaking to members of the Black Bombers, the national boxing team who expressed their concerns and challenges to him at the Trust Sports Emporium, where they are preparing for the Olympic Games that will take place in Tokyo, Japan from July 28 to August 8, 2021.

Hon. Ussif assured all the qualified athletes and federations of government support and appreciable rewards if they win medals for the nation.

He expressed that things must be done differently this time, to achieve the much needed results, and his administration will ensure adequate preparations and appreciable motivation.

According to Hon. Mustapha Ussif, he will meet all the qualified federations and see how well everyone will be motivated to achieve results and win medals for the nation at the Olympic Games.

He said the Ministry of Youth & Sports is coming up with modalities for rewarding national athletes, and everyone who performs well will be honoured.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

A delegation from the African Union (AU) on June 5, 2021 paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Minister for Youth and Sports to officially inform him about their visit to the country and to establish a warm relationship with him going forward.

The agenda of their visit was to meet the officials of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2023 African Games to assess the capacity and preparation of Ghana in the hosting and organisation of the Games.

The Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Organisation of the African  Games (TCAG) and leader of the delegation, Mr. Stanley Mutoya noted that they have so much confidence in Ghana that the Games would be well organized adding that there was a need for them to travel to Ghana to assess the infrastructure and other logistics needed as well as to orient members of the LOC for the successful hosting of the Games.

The Minister, Hon Mustapha Ussif expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit and reiterated Government's commitment to the hosting of 54 African countries in Ghana to participate in over 25 games and expressed optimism that Ghana will be ready to host one of the best ever games organised in the history of the competition in 2023.

He stressed that Ghana has began to hunt for great talents from the grassroots level to ensure the country is able to win most medals in the competitions.

The delegation will begin with their tour of assessment of facilities led by the Chairman of the LOC, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare.

Source - MOYS

Twellium Industrial Company has presented some of their assorted products to Team Ghana, as promised when they signed the two year GH200,000 deal to become the Official Water and Beverage Sponsor of the GOC.

The presentation took place at the Trust Sports Emporium in Accra, where the Black Bombers who have qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been training.

The products which include Verna Natural Mineral Water, Rush Energy Drinks, Planet Soft Drinks and Biscuits were presented by Marketing Officer Mustapha.

Sports Minister of Ghana, Hon Mustapha Ussif who received the package thanked the company for delivering on their promise and urged other companies to support Ghana Sports, especially the athletes and officials who are going to represent the nation at the Olympic Games.

He also made a personal donation of US$1,000 to the national boxing team, the Black Bombers which was received by the President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, Mr. George Lamptey.

Three amateur boxers have qualified, however the Bombers are looking forward for one or two additions to make it to the 2020 Olympic Games.

Technical Director of the Black Bombers Coach Ofori Asare on behalf of the team said they were very happy and are going all out to repeat history, because Ghana Boxing has sown a seed in Japan when the late Eddie Blay won bronze medal in 1964.

The qualified boxers, Sulemanu Tetteh, Samual Takyi and Shakur Samed voiced out that government must support them to feel motivated to deliver at the Games.

So far, 15 athletes have qualified to represent Ghana in boxing, athletics, judo, weightlifting and swimming.

By Sammy Heywood Okine  

The Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif  has on Saturday June 5, 2021 toured the Trust Sports Emporium to acquaint himself with the facilities there.

He was led by Marketing Consultant Nii Okai Nunoo and President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah.

Accompanying them were Sports Journalists Alhaji Tamimu Issah and Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine.

The Sports Minister was highly impressed to see the Bukom International Pool, Bukom Physio Center, Mudor Conference Hall, Ga Mashie Sports Hall, and the popular Bukom Boxing Arena.

He said Ghana can host many international sports events at the Emporium, and would  be considered for the African Games.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah said the GOC is ready to support to make the Emporium busy, and called on sports federations to take some of the events there.

He noted that the facility could be used for boxing, karate do, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, basketball, swimming, volleyball, tennis and other events including receptions.

The Trust Sports Emporium belongs to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and it has hosted many local and international boxing events.

They also hosted the African Junior Badminton and Swimming competitions.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

Eight times American junior boxing champion, Joseph Awinongya Jr. and his dad / coach has met with city officials in Joliet, Chicago, Illinois.

Some of the personalities they visited are Will County President Jennifer Bertino- Tarrant Bolingbrook, Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry and Joliet Police Chief Dawn Malec.

Joseph Awinongya Snr. said they thanked the officials for their motivation, encouragement and support which has earned him eight national championship victories.

He disclosed that there are plans to participate in a juvenile boxing tournament in Holland which they have invited Ghana’s junior boxing team.

He also thanked the chiefs and people of Ashiaman in Accra, Ghana as well as the media for their wonderful support and inspiration.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Twellium Industrial Company Ltd, producers of Rush Energy Drink, Verna Mineral Water and McBerry brand of Biscuits and the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) on Wednesday signed a two year agreement worth GHC200, 000 to make them their official Water and Beverage Sponsor.

Mr. Ali Ajami, Chief Marketing Manager of Twellium Industries who signed the deal on behalf of his company with the President of the GOC recalled their success story since 2013 and impact on the economy of Ghana.

He said they have employed over 5,000 Ghanaians at their factory near Nsawam , and export to many countries, especially in West Africa.

He noted that sports has special impact not only on health and fitness, but creates jobs.

According to him, Twellium Industrial will support the GOC to create champions to raise the flag of Ghana at the Olympic Games and discover new talents, as the youth of the nation are potential champions.

He reiterated that Twellium decided to take the lead to support the GOC and Ghana Sports due to the efforts and honest leadership of Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah.

The GOC President thanked Twellium and other companies supporting Ghana sports like Ashfoam Ghana and Toyota Ghana who were there to express their support and contribution to the GOC.

He advised the media to positively promote and project Ghana sports, as they are some of the beneficiaries in the industry, and shun negative reportage which hinder sponsorship.

The Sports Minister, Hon Mustapha Ussif who witnessed the ceremony commended Twellium and the GOC President for working behind the scene to earn the nation the lucrative sponsorship deal.

Toyota Ghana and Ashfoam Ghana were represented by Mr. Andrew Lamptey, Service / Sales and Marketing Manager and Nana Ampem - Darko Antwi, Marketing Manager respectively.

Also present at the ceremony were the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Prof. Peter Twumasi, Chairman of the LOC for the 2023 African Games Dr. Kwaku Ofosu - Asare and Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Youth & Sports.

Others present were GOC Board members; Mr. Albert K. Frimpong, who is Chairman of the Marketing Committee, Mr. Abdul Hayye Yartey, Chairman of the Communications Committee, Mrs. Delphina Quaye, the only female on the board, Mr. Fred Otu Lartey, Second Vice President, Mr. Mohammed Mahadi, Third Vice President and Mr. Mike Aggrey, Chef du Mission for Tokyo 2020. 

Mrs. Joyce Mahama of WOSPAG was also present, as well as Mr. Haruna Adamu, the Covid -19 officer of the GOC and Mr. Reks Brobbey, founder of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human Concept.

The Black Bombers who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games graced the event.

Source – GOC Communications

President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Spanish Ambassador H.E Alicia Rico on Tuesday to strengthen and ignite the existing relations between the Embassy and the GOC.

He was accompanied by third Vice President, Mohammed Mahadi and Administrative Manager of the GOC, Miss Farida A. Iddriss.

They discussed sports diplomacy, training of trainers, exchange programme, athletes development, scholarship opportunities and sports development among Ghana and Spain.

The GOC President proposed a cultural week celebration  with the Spanish Embassy, by organizing a mini Olympics with 10 sporting disciplines, which the Ambassador gladly accepted and told GOC to furnish the Embassy with a detailed proposals.

Source – GOC Communications

New WBC Africa Muay Thai Super Middleweight Champion, Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai has thanked everyone who supported him to win the prestigious belt in La, Accra, Ghana on Saturday May 15, 2021.

The Switzerland based fighter and coach said “On behalf of my team and the Pro Fighting Factory, I would like to thank everyone across the world and my fans for supporting me to win the WBC Africa Muay Thai Super Middleweight Title in La, Accra, Ghana”.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Don's Promotions and the media for the support they gave me to make my nation proud”.

“I also appreciate my corner, Margaux and Natacha for advising my well to win in the first round. As a serious professional, I have gone back to the gym to prepare for my next mission. Once again I say Thank You All” he said in a message to the media.

The two times SWAG award winner wants to fight Bastie Samir in a boxing match  if a promoter would come up with an enticing package to stage the big bout in Ghana.

Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai won through a round one technical knock out over Emmanuel Shijia from Tanzania who had no answer to the Ghanaian’s  powerful punches and kicks.

By Sammy Heywood Okine