All is set for the 2021 National Cross Country race under the theme “Combating COVID-19 with Sports and Exercise” in the Western North Region on Saturday, February 20.

The one-day event would witness about 200 athletes drawn from the 16 regions of Ghana taking part in the national race.

Each Region is expected to bring at least eight athletes (male and female) to compete in the 10-kilometer race, which would commence from Ayemkrom and end at the Glistering Park in Sefwi Wiaso.

The Region that wins the competition would receive a cash prize of Ghc10,000.00, whilst the team that emerges winner would receive Ghc 2,000, with the second and third walking away with Ghc1,000.00 and Ghc500.00 respectively.

Participants would also receive trophies, medals and certificates of participation as part of the prizes.

According to the organisers, the National Sports Authority (NSA), all athletes and officials would strictly adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols, with defaulters, sanctioned.

Ahead of the event, there would be an Anti-doping/Medical workshop for all participants to sensitize them on safe and clean sports.

GNA

The senior national team, the Black Stars on Thursday, February 18, completed phase one of their training programme ahead of the doubleheader Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Head Coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor broke camp for the 26 locally-based players to join their respective clubs in Ghana Premier League (GPL) and division one league clubs.

In all 26 players featured in the training and a test game Thursday morning before departure.

Herewith with the players who participated in the four-day training programme;

Goalkeepers: Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars), Bawa Lord Martey (Elmina Sharks), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC).

Central Defenders: Haruna Jamal Deen (Great Olympics), Konadu Yiadom (WAFA), Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak)

Full Backs: Amoako Kwadwo (AshantiGold SC), Dennis Korsah Akoumah (Ebusua Dwarfs)

Defensive Midfielders: Justice Blay (Medeama SC), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Salifu Moro (Bechem United), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics), Michael Otou (Great Olympics), George Asamoah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Ben Acquah (Ebusua Dwarfs)

Attacking Midfielders: Yaw Annor (AshantiGold SC), Salifu Ibrahim (Techiman Eleven Wonders), Maxwell Abbey (Great Olympics), Augustine Boakye (WAFA), Michael Agbekornu (Dreams FC).

Strikers: Kwame Pepprah (King Faisal), Diawusie Taylor (Karela United FC), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC), Evans Etti (Accra Lions FC), Andy Kumi Francis (Unistar Academy), Welbeck Takyi (Tano Bofoakwa).

No Pain, No Guts, No Wits, No Will, No Gain, No Glory" -these are what makes Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym boxers special.

Founded in 1981, the Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym is one of the most respected and honored gyms in Accra, Ghana when it comes to training and grooming of talented boxers.

They made history by winning the maiden Mortein Boxing League in Ghana with Kotey Ashie receiving the Best Boxer Award.

The founding fathers  are the late veteran politician Attoh Quashie (owner) and international boxing referee and judge Robert Teddy Lamptey (Head Trainer), men of vision and passion for boxing.

The popular gym located at James Town at the City Engineers premise has transformed the likes of Charles Adamu, James Toney, Anyetei Laryea and Joseph Agbeko under the late coach Dzanie Kotey aka ‘Alloway’ who left the gym in the charge of young enterprising Vincent Akai Nettey.

Currently they boast of four coaches taking care of 54 boxers.

The major challenges of the gym are financial and equipment to train, says Akai Nettey.

Some of the popular boxers who have made names in recent times are former IBF Welterweight champion Joshua Clottey, George Ashie, Obodai Sai, Emmanuel Martey, Isaac Sackey, Samuel Yaw Addo, Akimos Annan Appiah and David Bawa.

With no sponsors they find it difficult but cope with the situation, however they will embrace sponsorship in any form if it is possible and positive.

Current head coach Vincent Akai Nettey is motivated by the passion for boxing and he believes that he can create more world champions for Ghana.

The breakdown of boxers at Attoh Quarshie is 12 Professionals, 20 Amateurs and 22 Juvenile boxers.

Coach Akai Nettey said the future is with the young boxers and they have time for the kids.

His message to boxing fans is to thank them for being  with them to this far, and encouraged them to continue to support the gym and the boxers every time.

He expressed that the doors of Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym are open to corporate bodies to come and support.

He thanked the media and recommended the formation of the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) as it will go a long way to promote Ghana Boxing.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Hon. Jerry Shaib Assures To Raise Bar

... after getting Ghana Weightlifting top post

Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib - New weightlifting boss

NEW boss of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF), Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has promised to work his fingers to the bone and raise the bar of weightlifting in the country.

"I have been with the sport for some time now. It is a great sport discipline with lots of prospects and I'm going to work assiduously to ensure weightlifting occupies its proper place in Ghana and beyond."

Mr Shaib, who doubles as CEO of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), was elected unopposed as president at a thrilling virtual congress of the GWF on Wednesday night.

The new GWF capo called on all board and management members not to sit on the fence but get vigorously involved as the sport is projected to the expected heights.

"It's time for all to work as a team and avail ourselves to the good of weightlifting which for me, aside from football - is one of the biggest sports in the country.

He lauded the 'supreme' contribution of the outgoing president Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, whose tenure has seen Ghana win hordes of medals at international events.

For his part, Mr Nunoo Mensah commended his successor for taking up the mantle, assuring him of his unflinching support to make weightlifting a more enviable sport in the country.

Fifteen delegates, drawn from the weightlifting fraternity and the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), were present at the event.

Other officers elected unopposed to run the federation for the next four years were Messrs Isaac Tetteh (Vice President); Ben Addy (Secretary General), Ken O. Adade (Deputy General Secretary), Gideon Sackey (Treasurer) and Mrs Edith Aggrey (Deputy Treasurer).

In view of COVID-19 restrictions, Wednesday's virtual congress focused largely on the elections as reading of minutes and presentation of accounts and other matters were swung to the next congress.

By John Vigah

Mr. Jerry Ahmed Shaib the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), has been elected as the new President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) for the next four years.

The federation held a virtual elective congress on Wednesday, February 18, to confirm the new President’s candidacy as he contested unopposed.

He takes over from Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah who served as President for the past eight years and also as the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

Mr. Ahmed Shaib would lead a nine-member board with a blend of old and new board members to steer the affairs of the federation for the next four years.

The current board has Mr. Isaac Tetteh as the Vice President, Mr. Ben Addy as Secretary-General, Mr. Kenneth Odeng Adade as Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Gideon Sackey as Treasurer and Mrs. Edith Agyepong as the Deputy Treasurer.

Dr. Akwesi Adomake, Dr. Jonathan Quartey, and Mr Joe Sintim Aboagye would serve as Board Members.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Ahmed Shaib thanked the delegates for the assurance and also thanked the former President for ensuring the development of the sport since taking over.

He urged all members to come on board for the continuous growth of the federation and the sport in Ghana.

He mentioned that athletes were the focus of the federation and he would work closely with all members to provide the needed support for the athletes to continue to make the country proud on the international front.

Mr. Nunoo-Mensah former President of the federation expressed his gratitude to the weightlifting fraternity for supporting him during his tenure and urged them to continue to support the current board.

He assured the new board of his continuous support as he now becomes a patron of the federation.

Source – Edna Quansah GNA

Joseph Awinongya Jr the exciting young fighter with 7 x national boxing championships to his name has announced that he would like to become a medical practitioner once he hangs his gloves up. He has already moved a step closer to his dream after being nominated for the Joliet Chamber Scholarship award and gained admission to the Joliet Junior College.

Awinongya Jr has become one of the most exciting young boxers of recent years. The accomplished 7x national boxing champion who has received several honors over the years including being honored by USA Boxing, Illinois Association for becoming the 2020 National Silver Gloves Champion cannot hide his joy when he received the news of his admission the Joliet Junior college.

The exciting young pugilist who has taken the boxing world by storm and continue to make his family and fans proud wants to dedicate his future to medicine.  After seeing the brave fight by nurses and Doctors against the COVID19 Pandemic and also seeing how the medical professionals helps children who have contracted HIV at no fault of theirs wants to become a medical Practitioner. 

He therefore has taken nursing at the Joliet Junior College as his first step of achieving that dream of becoming a medical practitioner after he hangs the boxing gloves.

The 13-year-old boxer and arguably most written about juvenile boxers of his generation has currently been nominated for the Joliet Chamber Scholarship award and looking forward to securing same to pursue his future career after boxing.

 Awinongya Jr who has become an inspiration to young people hopes this news will encourage other young people to follow their dreams. Since the news broke, the boxer has received a great deal of support from his fans. Some fans have commented that the young boxer continues to break the mold, and this latest news will help others to follow in his steps.

He says that he is also motivated and inspired by the tremendous support he receives from Alhaji Inussah Sally who is a businessman, a philanthropist and patron of Ghana boxing who plays a father figure in his life, Ghanaian celebrated boxer and boxing Hall of Fame personality Professor Azumah Nelson and Asamoah Gyan former Black Star skipper for their advice and support.

Bearing in mind the task associated with college education, Jojo as they affectionately call him has pledged and renewed his commitment not to take his eye off the ball for the 2028 Olympics whilst he studiously pursue his college education. He aims to win big at the Olympics and go on to win World titles before practising his chosen future career.

Source – Team Awinongya

Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation Gym is one of the best boxing clubs and gymnasiums in Accra, Ghana .

Like many boxing gyms, it is located in the heart of the city - Bukom, James Town  where the best, durable and most admired and respected boxers hail.

For the management, discipline is very important to the success of any boxer and the ensure it to the best.

The popular  professional boxers  at Charles Quartey are Micheal Ansah aka 'One Bullet', Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, Mohammed Fuseini,  Jacob Tetteh Laryea and Iddrissa Amadu. The mission is to produce champions in Ghana, Africa and the world.

Currently there are 20 amateur boxers and many juvenile boxers.

Charles Quartey Foundation Gym boasts of 15 professional boxers boxers.

The gym is headed by coach Charles Quartey, an ex boxer turned trainer and manager. He says boxing is a noble profession and wants to use it to change lives and the community.

He expressed that boxers are role mode and stars who many people look up to for inspiration.

The assistant coaches are Bernard Charles Tetteh Nartey Prince  Amoah Asiedu  . Ernest A. Ofori Emmanuel Obodai Laryea5.Robert and Robert Doe with Gym Manager David Doe working very hard to meet their set standards.

They believe the sky is the limit as they dedicate themselves to the gym in unity and love.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Naomi Osaka dispatched Serena Williams 6-3 6-4 in their Australian Open Semi Finals denying her that elusive record tying 24th All Time Grand Slam Title that she has been seeking.

She now moves on to yet another Australian Open Finals and if she wins it ... it will be her 4th Grand Slam Title with 2 coming from the US Open and the 1 from the very Australian Open which she won back in 2019 and now seeks to win again. She is yet to win Wimbledon and the French Open.

Naomi Osaka ended Serena Williams' hopes of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title with an impressive performance in the Australian Open women's singles in Melbourne. She beat Serena and will now face Jennifer Brady in the final.

From girlsinlovewithsports

Mastercard and MTN will empower millions of consumers in Africa to make payments on global platforms, advancing digital financial inclusion

They will enable millions of MTN customers to pay on global online platforms with a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to MTN MoMo wallet

Mastercard’s technology will enable new digital commerce opportunities for consumers and merchants with or without a bank account, through a simple and secure payment experience

Collaboration underpins a new wave of financial inclusion through mobile devices, unlocking opportunities for millions of people across Africa

Mastercard and MTN today announced a strategic partnership to enable millions of consumers in 16 countries across Africa to make global e-commerce payments safely and securely.

Through a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) wallets, consumers and merchants can engage with brands and businesses abroad through digital commerce, extending their reach to an international marketplace and unlocking a host of opportunities.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile devices are the primary channel used to connect to the internet. According to GSMA, by 2025, it is estimated that there will be 300 million more people using their devices to access internet services. In light of this significant growth, mobile financial services have become the dominant form of digital payments, with twice as many mobile money accounts as bank accounts in the region. As a result,  consumers increasingly expect to have access to a broader range of digital financial services.

However, consumers and merchants are mostly restricted to a local base of online and offline businesses, therefore curtailing customers’ ability to engage in global commerce. Through this strategic partnership, MTN customers with a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to their MoMo wallets can make payments to global online merchants through a seamless and secure digital payment experience on websites and mobile applications. The service is available regardless of whether or not the customer has a bank account.

The solution will enable consumers to explore and shop at well-known global e-commerce brands and pay quickly and securely for leisure shopping, travel, accommodation, entertainment, streaming services and more. It will also allow small business owners to purchase from suppliers abroad and pay with the virtual payment solution.

“We are very excited about this partnership with Mastercard, which is another step in realizing our ambition to build Africa’s largest fintech platform, accelerating economic and social development through digital innovation to the benefit of citizens across the continent and beyond,” said MTN Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer Serigne Dioum.

“This noteworthy partnership is another step to enable our customers to participate in the global economy. We are resolute that accelerated financial inclusion is a potent enabler of socio-economic development that empowers the most vulnerable in society,” he concluded.

Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President for Market Development, Mastercard Middle East and Africa, said: “This significant milestone will enable millions of MTN customers to benefit from global digital commerce and drive digital and financial inclusion across Africa through easy and secure access to financial services.

“At Mastercard, our innovation strategy is based on partnerships and collaboration. This agreement with MTN shows that we can deliver innovative digital solutions that have a far-reaching impact and realize the true potential of inclusive growth across the continent. Partnering with MTN allows us to accelerate our global pledge to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025, bringing us closer to a world beyond cash.”

MTN and Mastercard first launched the digital payment solution in 2018 for MoMo customers. MTN, the largest mobile network operator, is the ‘Most Admired African Brand’ based on spontaneous consumer responses in Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2020 survey and the most valuable telecoms brand in Africa by Brand Finance Africa.

The company will extend the virtual payment solution offering throughout its Fintech footprint. The expansion of this payment solution will play a significant role in driving the growth of digital inclusion and e-commerce thus increasing MTN MoMo customer inclusion into the global economy.

Initially designed to facilitate the transfer of cash between mobile users, MTN’s MoMo offering is now much broader - including loans, insurance, remittances and payments.

About the MTN Group:

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. We have a major focus on growing our fintech and digital businesses in Africa.

www.mtn.com

Former Hearts Of Oak, Kosta Papic has been confirmed as the new technical manager for South African PSL side, Black Leopards.

According to Kick Off South Africa, Leopards who operate with the nickname ‘Lidoda Duvha’ have been without a head coach since Dylan Kerr parted ways during his second spell with the club late last year.

To fill the vacuum the club made Lehlohonolo Seema joined the act as interim Head Coach.

Leopards have now roped in the Serbian mentor to steer the ship towards Premiership safety in what can be described as a technical director role.

Papic left Hearts of Oak in controversial circumstances on Tuesday this week citing “partly personal” reasons for his resignation.

This will be return to South Africa for Papic who has worked with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

He coach will be in charge of all the technical matters at the club for the senior team and juniors.

As outlined in the Hearts of Oak press conference. Kosta Papic left the clubs because of the following reasons:

- Lack of trust from players

- Lack of cooperation from players

- Players failing to respect his instructions

Hours later he has a job at Black Leopards.

From Sammy Heywood Okine