Executives of the Ghana Mini Football Association last Friday paid a courtesy call on the president of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah at his office in Accra.

The three man delegation comprised Mr. Ako Nai, President, Mr. Emmanuel Anyetei Adjei, Secretary and Mr, Evans Amewugah, Communications Director.

They briefed the GOC President on their history, preparedness to support the grooming, training of young players especially with the Mini Football and plans for the future.

They also enquired about processes to be affiliated to the GOC and the possibilities of adding Mini Football to the sports disciplines for the 2023 African Games to be hosted in Ghana.

The GOC President welcomed them and advised them to be active with their programmes, activities and contacts with their parent international body in Switzerland as well as the continental body in Tunisia.

According to Mr. Ako Nai, their game is different from the normal football and futsal, as they use a smaller field and ball and the game is handled by four referees.

He disclosed that Ghana has once participated in an international tournament and they are ranked 9^th.

He said they have applied and are in the process of joining the National Sports Authority (NSA).

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana League Walk 2020 which took place last Saturday from the Accra Shopping Mall to the Madina Zongo Astro Turf has been hailed as a good initiative and should be supported by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The Ghana League Walk which is a concept to draw awareness and patronage for the local football competition is the brainchild of Miss Elizabeth Alhassan, a young sports journalist.

She said that is her portion of support for Ghana Football and appealed to sponsors to come on board in the next edition.

She also thanked Hon. Abubakar Boniface for his wonderful support and influence.

Madam Elizabeth King, Chairperson of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Women’s Commission congratulated all who joined in the Walk and the Fun Match.

Mrs. Joyce Mahama, President of WOSPAG said the laudable idea should be organized by the clubs and GHALCA should support the concept.

Madam Gloria Commodore, Executive Director of Women In Sports Association (WISA) said women must support women’s initiatives, and commended the young lady who is also PRO of WISA.

She promised to honor female footballers and other personalities who excel during the year.

She appealed to corporate Ghana and partners of the GFA to support the Ghana League Walk.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Gina Fiagbenu’s book The Wish List was launched at the Accra City Hotel. The Wish List is officially out for sale.

She expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life, strength, perseverance and for connecting me to the right people.

She thanked all who supported her.

Grab a copy to find out what The Wish List is all about.

You can get copies from the under listed sources. More will be added later.

Yaa Boafoa Asare 0244672145

- Buabeng Books 0557744362, 0246882632,

www.buabengbooks.com/bookstore

-Northern Ghana Distributor Martha Anabila 0549578512

A copy is 50 cedis only.

From Sammy Heywiid Okine

44 participants have taken part in the recent 3 -day National referees and match delegate course.

It was organised by the Handball Association of Ghana at the Cape Coast Sports stadium from Wednesday 4th to Friday 6th November, 2020 where all the delegates were presented with certificates of participation by the association.

In attendance at the closing ceremony was the Central Regional sports Director at the NSA, Mr. Alexander Tieku and Central Regional PE Director, Mr. Seth Ayensu Bortsie including other top sports dignitaries.

A minute silence was also observed in respect of the late Saka Acquaye, who played an instrumental role in the development of sports in the country.

Picture of the official closing ceremony.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The first Sydney Katz Tennis Open lived up to expectations leaving the organisers, Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) and sponsors content and hopeful of a bright future for the sport.

Mrs. Cathy Morton of Activly Sports, one of the partners in organizing the competition described the programme as very successful.

"I am delighted of the standard of tennis exhibited by the junior tennis players" she said,

The tournament is to make the young players active and ready, as they prepare to take over Ghanaian tennis.

Raphael Nii Ankrah won the Boys Under 14 when he beat Nathaniel Allotey 6-1, 6-0 in an interesting game at the finals of the 2020 Sydney Katz Open for junior players at the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday.

Doris Adjokatse outclassed Jessica Adjetey 6-3, 6-2 to win the Girls Under 14.

In the exciting Under 12 match finals, Lisel Ampah beat Hephzibaah Appiah 6-2, 6-1, while Matthew Nyarko defeated Donayus Nyaaba 6-1, 6-2 in the Boys Under12 finals. Special Prizes were given to the winners and runners up.

The 2020 Sydney Katz Juniors Tennis Open is sponsored by Twellium Industrial Company, IPMC, New York Tennis and Learning Programme, Puma Drinks, Active H.A.B.E.S.H.A and the Michael Nortey Foundation.

Over 100 children from all over the country participated in the first edition of the Sydney Katz Junior Open.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Accra Great Olympics oldies defeated Accra Hearts of oak oldies today at the La McDan Park by 2-0, goals scored by ex internationals Godwin Attram and Awuley Quaye jnr.

Lawyer Amarkai Amartefio was joined by Dr Daniel McKorley to presented a cheque of $10,000 to the winning team which was collected by Godwin Attram on behalf of the newly formed Accra Great Olympics Old Players Association (AGOOPA).

The purpose of the match was to raise funds for the Association and make people aware of the peace they are enjoying as the nation prepares for elections.

Some of the special guests for the match were TT Brothers, Perry Doku, Takyi, Director of Immigration, Fred Moore, MD of Accra Hearts of Oak, and Osei Kwaku Palmer, President of Iema Youth Football Club.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana forward, Solomon Asante has been named ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) for the 2020 United Soccer League (USL) season following his outstanding displays for Phoenix Rising FC.

The attacker has this season been exceptional for his team, helping the side to emerge as Champions of the Western Conference.

Assessing the performance of players in the USL division at the end of the campaign, Solomon Asante who is captain for his Phoenix Rising FC side has been picked as the best players.

With the award, the former Black Stars forward becomes the first back-to-back MVP in the history of the USL.

For the 2020 USL Season, Solomon Asante scored 6 goals and provided 9 assists after featuring in 7 matches for Phoenix Rising FC.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt E.S Okraku, on Wednesday, November 04, 2020, held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Lydia Dzane-Selby over partnership of mutual benefits.

The meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the NHIA in Accra, discussed a host of issues and also looked at how the two entities can work together for a common good.

They looked at various ways the GFA could get assistance for players, club administrators and GFA staff as well as a partnership between the GFA and NHIS.

Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association Samuel Aboabire accompanied the President.

The leadership of NHIA, were also present. They included, Mrs. Yaa Pokua-Baiden - Dep. Chief Executive, Mrs. Ben Kusi, Director, Regional operations, Mr. Ahmed Imoro, Director, Finance, Mrs. Stella Adu-Amankwah, Head of Corporate Affairs and Mr. Francis Owusu Dep. Chief Executive for Finance.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was established under the National Health Insurance Act 2003, Act 650, as a body corporate, with perpetual succession, an Official Seal, that may sue and be sued in its own name.

The mission of the National Health Insurance Authority is to provide financial risk protection against the cost of quality basic health care for all residents in Ghana, and to delight subscribers and stakeholders with an enthusiastic, motivated and empathetic professional staff who share the values of honesty and accountability in partnership with all stakeholders.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Bechem United teenager, Prince Adu Kwabena has been handed his debut Black Stars call-up ahead of Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sudan.

Ghana is set to face off with Sudan in a double-header encounter in the qualifiers to the 2021 AFCON tournament in the upcoming international break in what will be a clash in Group C.

Last Friday, Black Stars head coach CK Akonnor announced a 23-man squad that he will be using for the two matches.

Although the attackers did not include Prince Adu Kwabena, he has been given a late call-up  and will be part of the squad for the Sudan games.

This comes as a reward for the 17-year old’s outstanding displays in the Ghana Premier League during the 2019/2020 season.

In a campaign that was ended abruptly as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Prince Adu Kwabena scored 8 goals in 14 appearances for his Bechem United outfit.

In the upcoming international break, Ghana will host Sudan at the Cape Coast stadium on Thursday, November 12, before traveling to Khartoum to face the Falcons five days later in the reverse fixture.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian-born Jamie Leweling has reportedly rejected a call-up to play for the Black Stars in the Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

Leweling was a surprised inclusion in Coach CK Akonnor’s squad for the doubleheader.

The Gruether Furth attacker received an invite just months after representing Germany at youth level.

He featured for Germany in an U21 qualifier in September this year.

Reports say the 19-year-old is unwilling to switch his allegiance to Ghana with hopes of representing his country of birth at the senior level in the future.

Akonnor had claimed the player was recommended by Ghana Football Association Technical Director Bernhard Lippert.

Source-ghanasportsonline