… Kwaku Frimpong Elected Unopposed As New President of GTTA

Mr. Kwaku Frimpong has been elected as the new President of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) after a peaceful election in the Garden City, Kumasi, Ashanti Region.

Emmanuel Bannerman won the First Vice President position, while Seniadza Mensah got the position of Second Vice President, then Alhaji Bawu Abass was elected Treasurer.

Felix Sowah was elected Executive Member, while Morris Acheampong and Dora Sarpong were elected Sponsorship / Communications Director and Women's Coordinator respectively. All the new officers were elected unopposed.

13 out of the 19 member bodies were present at the Congress.

The peaceful election which was organised by the Electoral Commission of Ghana took place at the Bek- Egg hotel in Kumasi on Sunday December 10, 2023.

In an acceptance speech, new President promised to work with everyone including the past executive, saying the struggle and fight is over as it is time to unite and focus on building a stronger GTTA from the grassroots and give the voiceless a hearing, while unearthing new talents for the sport.

He noted that the success of Ghana Table Tennis must be seen in the sub region and internationally.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

This year’s Super Volleyball competition (SVC) massive end-of-year indoor volleyball competition will be held at the Ghana International School (GIS) in Cantonments, Accra from December 18 to 22, 2023.

The Super Volleyball Championship, which is the biggest indoor volleyball championship in West Africa is the most exciting and competitive volleyball event in December, with the hugely anticipated 2023 edition also taking place at a new venue.

The 2023 edition of the tournament will see six (6) of the best volleyball teams from the Greater Accra Volleyball League compete for the sought-after giant trophy and championship medals in both the men’s and women’s categories.

The dates set for the Super Volleyball Championships 2023 (SVC23) are the 18th to the 22nd of December, 2023, with the four-day tournament expected to deliver cracking and mouthwatering matchups.

Air Force Women will be defending the title in the women’s division after edging Army Women in straight sets in last year’s grand finale, while the men’s category will see defending champions Police aspire to win the tournament for the second time after winning the last edition with a straight sets victory over their fiercest rivals, Air Force.

A Press Conference to announce the tournament will take place at the Media Center, Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday December12.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Bronx Boxing Gym is the only boxing club / gym currently with continental champions in Ghana.

The gym headed by Coach Carl Lokko has over 40 amateur and professional boxers training to make a living through the pugilistic sport and win laurels for mother Ghana.

But due to an unfortunate incident that was caused when the gym administration went to seek for fairness and justice during a Max Promotions sponsored Ghana Professional Boxing League match result, they have been banned by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) headed by Mr. Abraham Neequaye.

Carl Lokko who is a member of the GBA executive board was lost for words and said the general, sporting and boxing public is seeing what is happening and they can judge for themselves.

He expressed that it is unfortunate and sad for this to happen to a gym like Bronx because they have the current best boxers in Ghana, and when one of their budding boxers surprised an experienced opponent from the Ghana Army it caused mayhem at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

According to Carl Lokko who led former IBF Champion, Richard Commey to his first world title bid in the USA, they have Sheriff Quaye, the current 11th contender to the WBO World Lightweight title, who is also the WBO Africa Champion. They also have John Laryea, the WBO Featherweight Champion who loves to be called 'Expensive Boxer' and Jacob Tetteh Laryea, the West African Boxing Union Super Welterweight Champion, as well as Daniel Gosh, the National Bantamweight Champion and the National Cruiserweight Champion, Jacob Dickson.

Coach Lokko says if the GBA has banned them from competing in the Professional Boxing League, they have to look elsewhere because boxing is their talent and skill.

"If we are not allowed to fight in Ghana, because maybe we are too good, then we have to move out to the Americas. Asia, Europe or other parts of Africa to make ends meet and showcase their power.

He hinted that apart from the amazing champions who inspire the younger boxers, the gym also camps Emmanuel Tagoe, former IBC Lightweight Champion and Ben Ankrah aka Congo Soldier who have been imparting to the younger boxers like Emmanuel Quartey, Felix Nunoo, Kpakpo Allotey, John Zile and others.

"Bronx Boxing Gym has played a significant role in the tourism, history, development and promotion of Ghana Boxing, we are a very disciplined club and promise to abide by all boxing rules and regulations" he assured.

Coach Lokko was proud to announce that most of the boxers at Bronx Boxing Gym have managers who take care of their welfare.

The gym made news in September when it was renovated by Chop Life Gaming owned by ace musician, Mr. Easy.

Bronx Boxing Gym is also linked with the Besesaka scholarship program for juvenile boxers as well as Team Awinongya and the Asamoah Gyan Foundation.

Coach Lokko promised to find innovative ideas to manage the gym at James Town, also known as 'Home of Champions'.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Joseph Awinongya won the Nationals heading to the youth team to travel around the world. He will join the USA boxing team to be prepared for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Joseph Awinongya Jr. beat Damian Banuelos in the finals of 165lbs (75Kg) youth male on Friday December 8, 2023 at USA Boxing National Championship held at the Lafayette Louisiana.

Banuelos from Califonia dispatched Ruffin Harris (#2 seeded) to meet Awinongya Jr. at the finals. Both boxers put up an impressive fight for the number one spot of the 165lbs youth in the USA national team.

Tall Awinongya Jar. was the smarter on the day though his opponent was very aggressive.

Friends of Boxing congratulate Jojo on his latest great achievement.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Reports reaching Yours Truly indicate that plans are advanced for World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Featherweight Champion, John Abaja Laryea aka ‘Expensive Boxer’ to train outside Ghana.

His trainer, Coach Carl Lokko hinted Yours Truly in a chat that the champion who is one of the youngest undefeated boxers will move out very soon to the USA, UK, Asia or RSA to train.

According to Coach Lokko, the opportunities are many and as they do not want to rush, but take thing easy and smart, they are weighing the chances.

Sammy Anim Addo, Manager of John Laryea is also very excited to see the next move of his ward as he prepares for another phase of his career that may lead to meet very crack boxers and possibly winning another title for Ghana.

Laryea (12-0-1) who is very known for his confidence is gunning for the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Pro Boxers of the Year 2023.

Sheriff Quaye, the WBO Africa Lightweight Champion is also in contention for the SWAG Pro Boxer of the year.

The two boxers from the Bronx Gym and Alfred Lamptey of the Black Panthers Gym are the shining boxers in Ghana currently.

The SWAG Awards has been fixed for January, 12 at the Accra International Conference Center.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Followers of Ghana Boxing will get all the exclusive news and info from the 2023 IBA Congress in Dubai, UAE as well as weigh-in results for Saturday's IBA Champions Night featuring over 6 bouts.

Friends of Boxing and the Ghana Boxing Writers Association (BWAG) congratulate Dornu of Dornu’s Corner fame for the exposure and international coverage.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

It is Ghana versus Nigeria in Boxing in Guinea, as former WBO Africa heavyweight champ, Richard Harrison Lartey makes it a second straight victory after suffering defeat in 5 consecutive fights previously when he faces undefeated Nigerian knockout specialist, Solomon Adebayo (13-0, 12 KOs).

The Nigerian who is coming off a round 1 stoppage of former Ghana based 2-time world title challenger, Isaac Ekpo in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight clash December 15 in Conakry.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Terrence Crawford made his way to Louisiana to see the next generation of America's boxers.

He caught up with Joseph Jojo Awinongya as he goes to monitor who he met on Thursday 7 December 2023. Jojo faced David Lona in Ring 1 Bout 19

Awinongya Jr. defeated his opponent to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

Joseph Awinongya Jr. recorded a unanimous win over David lona scoring 10-9 on all judges score cards.

Awinongya Jr. who has Ghanaian parents will next  clashes with  Banuelos in the finals

Joseph Awinongya Jr. will square it off with Damian Banuelos in the finals of 165lbs (75Kg) youth male on Friday December 8, 2023 at on-going USA Boxing National Championship at the Lafayette Louisiana.

Banuelos from Califonia dispatched Ruffin Harris (#2 seeded) to meet Awinongya Jr. at the finals. Both boxers will fight for the number one spot of the 165lbs youth in the USA national team.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Gremio striker Luis Suarez was presented with the golden ball on Thursday for the best player of the 2023 Brazilian Serie A.

After a slow start to the season, the Uruguayan went on a prolific scoring run to finish the campaign with 17 goals and 11 assists from 33 games.

Across all competitions, he netted 26 times and provided 17 assists for the Porto Alegre club, whom he joined from Uruguay’s Nacional in January.

“I am almost 37 years old, this is the year I played the most games in my career,” the former Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid player said upon receiving the award.

“It was also the year I was most often distant from my family. This award belongs to them,” he added while holding back tears.

Suarez initially signed a two-year deal with Gremio but is free to leave this month after renegotiating his contract in July. In recent weeks, Gremio fans have bombarded his social media pages with messages imploring him to stay.

“It is hard to see rival fans here applaud you when you play, and that did happen to me in some places,” Suarez said. “This is all about the player’s mind. It doesn’t matter how old they are. It just depends on the mindset and the commitment.”

NewsGhana

The Ordinary Congress of the International Boxing Association (IBA) is to take place on 9 December in Dubai, UAE.

National Federations have received the official invitation to participate in the Congress, which will be conducted in a hybrid format.

The Congress will vote to elect one woman to become the IBA Board of Directors member from the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) due to the vacant position.

The registration of delegates for the IBA Ordinary Congress commenced on 30 September and ended on 31 October.

National Federations were allowed to submit their proposals according to the IBA Constitution no later than 9 October.

Each proposal should be accompanied by an explanation of the item and the reasons prompting its inclusion in the Congress’s agenda. The final agenda will be communicated no later than 1 month before the Congress.

The IBA has scheduled the Global Boxing Forum and IBA Champions’ Night to be held alongside the Congress.

Last year the three events were held in Abu Dhabi.

‘As we convene for the IBA Ordinary Congress in Dubai this December, our commitment remains unwavering to the development of boxing worldwide and the unity of our Boxing Family. This year, not only do we welcome our National Federations in a hybrid format, but we also take another step forward in transparency and integrity. Our dedication to progress is clear, and as we look forward to the Global Boxing Forum and the IBA Champions’ Night, we carry with us the legacy of last year’s successful events in Abu Dhabi,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev commented.

IBA