The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) announces the death of renowned Legendary Ghanaian Journalist, Broadcaster & First President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Mr Joachim Awuley Lartey aka 'Joe Lartey' on April 26, 2024.

The late broadcaster also known as "Over To You Joe Lartey" passed at age 96.

#RIP Sir

Joseph Paul Amoah, Isaac Botsio, Joseph Oduro Manu, Barnabas Aggerh and  Ibrahim Fuseini will represent Team Ghana in the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, USA this weekend to attempt a 4x100m men relay qualification to the #Olympics2024 in France.

From Elizabeth Alhassan

Ghana’s Para Athlete ZINABU ISSAH won Gold in a Paris 2024 Qualification Event.

Ghana’s Para Athlete Zinabu Issah has competed in the F57 Women's discus throw where she threw a convincing distance of 26.66 metres to lead that class event to win a Gold Medal for Ghana at the Ongoing 2024 Grand Prix Marrakech in Morocco.

The qualification mark is 19 meters but she did 26 meters to be in pole position for qualification to France.

President of the Ghana Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen congratulated Zinabu and urged her to do more to gain more points in her sport.

Zinabu Issah was an award winner at the 9th WISA Awards last year, and that recognition has motivated her a lot. President of Women In Sports Association (WISA), Madam Gloria Commodore also commended her efforts.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The male and female table tennis teams of Ghana have qualified to the semi-finals of the team’s event at the on-going Regional Championships happening in Lome, Togo.

The male team had a walkover over Guinea in their first match. They went ahead to beat Cote d’Ivoire 3-2 in their second match. In the final group match, Ghana beat Benin 3-0 to stay top of group 2.

The male team will battle it out with Togo in their semi-final encounter for a place in the finals.

Reigning champions Nigeria will meet Benin in the other semi-final encounter.

The female team also beat Togo and Benin 3-0 respectively and also had a walkover over Guinea. By this performance, they also topped their group.

The female team will meet Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-finals while Nigeria will also play Benin in the other semi-finals.

Emmanuel Commey, Samuel Akayade,  James Marfo, Israel Aklie and Michael Yeboah make up the male team. They are coached by Ebenezer Anang-Whyte

The female team is made of up Cynthia Kwabi, Celia Baah-Danso, Bernice Borley Borquaye, Juanita Borteye and Blessing Labanti. They are also coached by David Senyo Ahiaba.

The team is accompanied by Coach Robert Amartey, who doubles as Equipment Manager.

The 3-day event from 25th to 27th April 2024 serves as qualifiers for the African Championships to be held in Ethiopia in October 2024.

Source Nathaniel Kwesi Somuah, Ghana Table Tennis Association

Team Ghana will be represented by six men and one woman (US based middleweight 75Kg) Ornella Sathoud.

According to PRO of GBF Mr. Joojo Ephson, they decided to invest on their participation in the 2nd World Olympic Qualification event in Bangkok, Thailand from May 22-June 2, 2024.

Twelve boxers failed to secure any at the qualifying tournament in Senegal last year.

In March, seven Ghanaian boxers competed for 49 available slots in the first of Olympic Qualifier of the year in Italy.

The Black Bombers team of Samuel Takyi (light welterweight), Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey (flyweight division), Alfred Kotei (light-middleweight), Jonathan Tetteh (light heavyweight) and Leicester-born Mark Kojovi Ahondao (heavyweight), all failed to secure spots.

The female boxers - Black Hitters pair, Janet Ackah and Warrant Officer Anatu Mohammed, also failed to qualify.

The Ghana rejuvenated squad include Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, who will fight in the 51kg; 2020 Olympics bronze medallist Samuel Takyi (63.5kg), and Jonathan Tetteh (light-heavyweight category).

UK-based boxer Mark Kodjovi Ahondjo, who failed to compete in the first world qualification tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy will be thare, as well as African Games gold medallist Amadu Mohammed (featherweight) and the winner of a bout between Henry Malm and UK-based Haruna Rex Coffie on May 4 at the Bukom Boxing Arena to decide the seventh boxer for the tournament.

In the event of any unforeseen circumstances, popular fighter Abubakar Kamoko stands ready to step in as a reserve for Jonathan Tetteh. African Games Bronze Medalist Mohammed Aryeetey is also a reserve for Theo Allotey.

Coach Dr. Ofori Asare and GBF Vice President Dauda Fuseni are optimistic they will be represented at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The President of GBF, Ben Quartey and CDM of Paris 2024 Mr. Duah also share the same views.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has been awarded the title of African Sports Minister of the Year.

The accolade, bestowed upon him at the inaugural Africa Sports & Tourism Awards (ASTA) held in Abuja, Nigeria, was in recognition of his outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in advancing the sports sector across the continent.

The ceremony, themed “Sports as a Catalyst for Accelerated Tourism Development in Africa,” brought together persons from the sporting and tourism industries to honour individuals and initiatives driving transformative change in Africa.

Supported by Project Fly With Us Africa, the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, and the African Tourism Board, ASTA heralded a new era in recognizing the synergies between sports and tourism on the African continent.

Organisers said the award was in recognition of his visionary leadership and dedication to elevating Ghana’s sporting landscape, particularly his instrumental role in successfully hosting and organizing the 13th African Games in Ghana.

The award was received on behalf of Hon. Mustapha Ussif by a delegation led by Ambassador Inusah Zimblim, the Head of Consular and Welfare (Ghana High Commission - Abuja); the Executive Assistant to the Minister, Jamaludeen A. Abdullah; the director of Protocol of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dinah Boateng, and the Security Advisor at the High Commission in Abuja, Commodore Bassing.

In an acceptance speech on behalf of the Minister, Mr. Jamaludeen expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon the Minister, stating, “This award is a testament to the collective efforts of all those who have contributed to Ghana’s sporting success. It is a recognition of Ghana’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of sports. On behalf of my boss, I will say we are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award and remain steadfast in our dedication to advancing the sports agenda in Ghana and beyond.”

Other awardees on the night included Senator John Owan-Enoh, Minister of Sports Development of Nigeria, Governor of Lagos, H. E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nigeria Football Federation President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusa, Founder of Heartland F.C, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the Minister of Tourism of Nigeria, Lola Ade-John, among others.

Source Graphiconline

The Beach Soccer Clubs Union in Ghana, has assured the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of another exciting full throttle season.

The interim chairman of the Union Mr. Gyamfi Kusi Awere reiterated the resolve, focus and determination of the clubs to make this season even more exciting and competitive than the maiden campaign.

"There are a lot of challenges but that notwithstanding, the teams will intensify their preparations ahead of the 2nd edition which will hopefully kick off in a few weeks time ".

The Union is made of 20 clubs, out of which 14 teams compete in the Premier Beach Soccer League.

The clubs in zone A are Cheetah BSC, Sea Sharks, Dansoman BSC, Teshie BSC, Nugua BSC, Okere Rangers, Senya Sharks and Layoca whilst Zone B is made up of Keta Sunset Sports, Kedzi-Havedzi Mighty Warriors, Vodza Iron Breakers, Tegbi Oceans Stars, Kedzi Miracle BSC and defending champions Ada Assurance BSC.

The GFA supported each club with GHC 10,000 from the GFA for the 15 week long season and are hopeful for an increment in that figure as they continue to prepare for the start of the second season.

Already the Volta region has been playing it's mini league which will be replicated across the regional Football Associations with a format and timetable to be drawn up by the competitions committee.

The General Secretary of the FA Mr Prosper Harrison Addo has also assured the clubs that the GFA continues to be fully committed to support and develop beach soccer in Ghana.

The clubs are due to meet this week to conclude on final plans for the commencement of the season.

Source GBSCU

Coach Karim Zito of Dreams FC has says his side is well prepared for anything including penalty shootouts against Zamalek SC on Sunday in Kumasi.

The representatives of Ghana will clash with the Egyptian top side in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup in the semifinal games at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Dreams FC who believe in themselves and go by the slogan ‘Still Believe’ held Zamalek to a surprise goalless scoreline in the first leg at the Cairo International Stadium last weekend.

Zito, a former Ghana international with Asante Kotoko revealed that the team had concluded their training with penalty shootouts.

“You watched the training yourself, we ended with penalty shootouts and out of the twenty-four (24) players only three (3) of them could not score, so we are ready if it gets to penalties. Let me say that we are hoping to go in on Sunday and secure qualification in regulation time," he told the media in Kumasi.

He extended a heartfelt call to supporters of Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, urging them to rally behind Dreams FC during the critical encounter.

“This is not about Dreams, it’s about Ghana, we at Dreams are fighting very hard to bring back the slots we lost in Africa inter-club competitions. The fans of both Kotoko and Hearts should come and support us because we are building something for them to come and enjoy later."

In a bid to mobilise a significant turnout of football enthusiasts in Kumasi, the club has announced free entry to all stands except for the VIP and VVIP areas.

The much-anticipated game is scheduled to kick off at 16:00GMT on Sunday, April 28.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth & Sports, GFA, GHALCA, SWAG and other bodies have sent goodwill messages to Dreams FC to win and make Ghana proud.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

... Madam Gloria Commodore meets new DG of NSA

The Women In Sports Association (WISA), an NGO has begun preparations for the next 10th awards ceremony to be held in Accra.

Founder and President of WISA, Madam Gloria Commodore was at the Accra Sports Stadium and office of Dr. Dodzie Numekevor, the new Director General of the National Sports Authority on Thursday April 25 to formally introduce herself and the Association as well as brief him and invite him for her grand final event scheduled for September 21, 2024.

According to Madam Commodore who is 67 years old and uses her pension to do the event, inspire and motivate outstanding female sports personalities, this year may be her last due to her health and lack of financial support as the economy is also not favourable.

"This is my last awards, am tired, I pray some one takes over to continue to motivate the young ones coming, this year we are rewarding 24 people who have excelled" she told the NSA boss.

She said things are very expensive and she could no longer bear the costs with no sponsors.

She pointed that only Ghandour Cosmetics have supported as the only corporate entity that offers gifts to the awardees that include athletes, journalists and sports administrators.

She commended the media houses and Journalists who have promoted the course such as GNA, GTV, Metro TV, News Ghana, African Sports, modernghana, amaghanaonline, TV Africa, Ultimate Sports Ghana, HSTV, Ghanaian Times, Daily Guide and Daily Graphic.

Madam Commodore expressed that WISA has honoured over 200 people who became better after receiving the Award and she has never regretted doing something from her heart.

Dr. Dodzie Numekevor, the Director General of the NSA congratulated her and wished her good health and long life, so that she sees the fruits of her labour.

Deputy Director General of the NSA, Mr. Abdul Majeed Bawa who was present hoped that the WISA Awards will continue as it is a big brand.

By Sammy Heywood Okine