New Table Tennis starlet, Joanita Borteye won the 2023 Otumfuo Smash Tournament in the Garden City, Kumasi on Saturday.

She beat experienced Celia Baah Danso 3 – 1 in the Ladies Final.

Felix Lartey aka Spider maintain his position as curent top seed on the local scene.

He beat Augustine Baidoo 3-0 in the Men’s Final.

Here are the full results and cash prizes at the final. 

WOMEN'S FINAL

Joanita Borteye 3-1 Celia Baah-Danso

*Top 4*

1st. Joanita Borteye - GH¢ 4,000 + 400 = 4,400.00

2nd. Celia Baah-Danso - GH¢ 2,000 + 300 = 2,300.00

*Joint 3rd*

Eva Adom Amankwa & Mary Naa Korkor - GH¢ 1,000 + 150 = 1,150.00 each

MEN'S FINAL

Felix Lartey 3-0 Augustine Baidoo

*Top 4*

1st. Felix Lartey - GH¢ 4,000 + 400 = 4,400.00

2nd. Augustine Baidoo - GH¢ 2,000 + 300 = 2,300

*Joint 3rd*

Amir Nathaniel & Nii Nortey - GH¢ 1,000 + 150 = 1,150.00 each.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The combat sports crossover event of the millennium .

WBC & lineal heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and lineal MMA heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou will lock horns this Saturday, Oct. 28, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The long-awaited battle of behemoths kicks off Riyadh Season, one of the world’s leading entertainment festivals, which runs throughout the winter months in the Kingdom’s largest city.

Promoted by Queensberry, Top Rank and GIMIK Fight Promotions, the Fury-Ngannou card will stream live on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV in the United States beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Priced at $79.99 across all distributors, it also will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.

The pay-per-view undercard, an all-heavyweight affair, features a 12-round showdown between undefeated British standouts Fabio Wardley (16-0, 15 KOs) and David Adeleye (12-0, 11 KOs), along with a 10-round battle between former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker (32-3, 22 KOs) and Canadian knockout artist Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs).

Montreal-based wrecking ball Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs) will take on the upset-minded Junior Anthony Wright (20-4-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round clash, and Moses Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs) will open the pay-per-view broadcast in a six-rounder against Istvan Bernath (10-1, 8 KOs).

At Thursday’s press conference, an eventful show that included an animated John Fury (Tyson’s father), this is what the fighters had to say:

Tyson Fury

“It’s absolutely unbelievable to be out here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To be top of the bill, the main event, is even more special. We’ve all got a lot to be thankful for. We’ve all come a long way to be here. This has all happened in a short space of time. And to see it all unfold is really amazing.”

“Francis Ngannou is a big man. I see he’s taken a bit of advice from me with the clothes he’s wearing. He’s looking a bit snazzy. They say the finest form of flattery is imitation. And he’s got his suit on with no shirt on, and I started that! So, he’s imitating. But, there’s one thing I say, and it’s that many will imitate, but no one will ever replicate. Because there’s only one Gypsy King.”

“How do I prepare for a guy like this? It’s pretty difficult, but in America, we say a statement like this, ‘I’m gonna knock a motherf***er out!’ And that’s how we do it. I’ve been working with SugarHill {Steward} to knock him out cold on Saturday night, and I have no doubt in my mind that I will knock him out.”

“He’s a big, strong guy. Obviously, he’s got a good punch. But so am I. I’m a big, strong guy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be the world heavyweight champion. But I believe there’s levels to the game. And he’s going to find out my level on Saturday night.”

Francis Ngannou

“This is a dream come true. And I remember four years ago, when I first met Mike Tyson, my only request was for him to be in my corner if I fight Tyson Fury. People thought I was losing it. They thought I was crazy. They thought it would never happen. But here we are. The fight is happening. So, I’m living a dream. This has always been my dream. It wasn’t easy, but we are here.”

“I want to thank Tyson Fury for taking the fight and taking this risk because there is a lot of risk here for him. He might go to sleep on Saturday night. But I appreciate his courage, and I thank him.”

“This camp has been different from my past camps. It’s a different experience, a different beast. I was aware that there was a mountain in front of me, so that’s why we started the camp a lot earlier. And it went well, but having somebody like Mike Tyson around and my coach Dewey Cooper was very helpful in terms of approaching this fight.”

“We got Mike Tyson in, and the first thing he said that stuck in my mind is when he said, ‘Listen, he has two hands and two feet like you.’ And I got that. And that’s enough for Saturday night. Tyson Fury is definitely the best in boxing, but that’s stopping on Saturday night.”

Credit: Top Rank

Black Queens head coach, Nora Hauptle extended her unbeaten run with the Ghana women’s senior national team on Friday, October 27.

Today, the Swiss tactician led the Black Queens to a resounding 3-0 victory over Benin in the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games.

In a game played at the Stade de l’Amitié – Général Mathieu Kerekou, the Black Queens of Ghana dominated the contest and scored the goals to make it count at the end of the 90 minutes.

At the end of the first half, only a single goal separated the two national teams.

A penalty kick awarded to Ghana was converted by goal poacher Doris Boaduwaa who plays her football in Serbia for ŽFK Spartak Subotica.

After recess, Benin had a plan to get back into the game but not the quality to execute the plan.

Courtesy of a brace from Gifty Assifuah who scored in the 73rd and 78th minutes respectively, Ghana cruised to a deserved 3-0 victory at the end of the game.

This is the 8th consecutive game won by Black Queens head coach Nora Hauptle since her appointment nine months ago.

In the 8 games, the Black Queens have scored 29 goals but have not conceded a single goal.

Up next for Coach Nora Hauptle and her side, they will host Benin in Ghana on Tuesday, October 31.

Footballghana

Feverish preparations are underway at the Celebrity Golf Club at Sakumono in the nation’s capital, Accra which will be the venue for the last championship in the road to Damang golf series after some thrilling competitions at the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi and Achimota Golf Club. 

Known as the PGA Masters, it will be the last flagship tournament scheduled to take place at Sakumono from Tuesday 7th November to Friday 10th November 2023.

The championship will afford golfers the final opportunity to qualify for the Damang tournament in the Western Region. Expected to be fierce after the dramatic event at Achimota where Alfred Kwame Nuamey went against all odds and won the championship, over seventy golfers including some top golfers are expected to compete and play 72 holes over four days.

Speaking from his base in the United Kingdom, the operations director of PGA Ghana, Alhaji Ahmed Padori indicated that he is expecting a fierce and exciting outcome by close of the tournament with the golfers aware of what is stake for grabs. 

According to him the players on the bother line of players ranking would not want to drop out while those outside equally want to get through. Mr. Padori said such importance have attracted more attention to this tournament from all golfers and many within the golfing fraternity and the public as a whole.

The operations director of the PGA seized this opportunity to expressed his gratitude and appreciation all able executives including both the president, vice president, and senior members who have greatly impacted positively this journey - Road to Damang from January 2023 to date.

He again thanked all golf stakeholders, thus the media, golf clubs, our co-sponsors, and title sponsor Goldfields who in their individual ways have made this journey smooth.  On the up-coming PGA elections, Alhaji Padori wished all members who are vying for various positions to become executives a successful contest.

Meanwhile PGA has joined a list of mourners in Ghana and beyond following the demise of Mr. Samuel Kwabena Appiah (a.k.a man day for water never fear cold). He was a legend of the game whose prowess brought about some positive innovation to the game.

The late SK Appiah was a professional golfer and contributed immensely toward the development of professional golf in the country. In a short tribute, the PGA indicated that they are sudden with the death of their former member and extend a heartfelt condolence to the family.

Source Phil Johnny Quartey

It May Be Wrong To Hold The Current Government Alone Culpable Of The Messed Caused.

It Is Obvious The Akosombo Dam Have Been Overstretched Of Its Usage. For Decades, The Successive Governments Failed To Notice Ghana Needed A Replacement To Avoid Impending Spillages. The Successive Governments Only Waste Their Terms In Office Talking About  Legacies And Never Looking Out For Developments.

How Do We Expect Workers And Those Managing State Institutions To Play Efficiency When There Have Been No Wake Up Call Exhibited By The Status Quo.

We Don't Have To Continue Like This. Our Youth Are Going Through Different Forms Of Adversities Which Have Led Many Into Different Lifestyle Without The Successive Governments Stretching Out For Their Safety. And Now Spillage Victims Comprising Of Youth, The Elderly, Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, And Babies Deprived Of Their Comfort Space Thus Facing A Never Planned Relocation.

Going To The Victims Of Spillage Circumstances With A Political Attitude In The Pretence Of Soothing Their Souls Connote Lack Of Leadership.

Having Said That, I Purposefully Opine A Solution To Replace The Akosombo Dam.

Tidal Energy Will Be Mounted In The Ada Estuary Where There's A Gravitational Interaction Between The Sun, Moon And Earth As A Natural Resource Generating Energy For Power Transmission.

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah The First President Would Have Gone Beyond The Akosombo Dam  Constructed In 1965 If He Were Not Ousted.

When Given The Mandate And Handed Over The Sceptre Of Office Tidal Energy Shall Be The Prime Focus On Industrialization.

The Hydroelectric Dam Shall Serve As Channels For Creating Irrigation System In Encouraging Farming In The Country. Let's Be Conscientious In Dealing With The Populace.

We Need A Change With A New Dawn. Ghanaians Deserve Better Lives.

By Tom Asiseh

Ex-Ghana international Joe Addo says he holds the record as the only player to have captained Ghana’s national teams at all levels.

I hold record for captaining Ghana’s U17, U20, U23 and Black Stars – Joe Addo

The 52-year-old said captaining the U-17s, U20s, U-23s and the Black Stars is a record that has completely gone under the radar.

Addo made his name with Ghana Premier League giants Hearts of Oak, where he won some trophies in the late 1980s.

The former centre-back went on to play for Stuttgart in Germany, Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Tampa Bay Mutiny in the United States.

For Ghana too, he represented the national teams at various levels from 1990 to 2000, and feels proud to have captained his country at all levels.

"I have a lot of records that people don’t know,” Addo said in an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on YouTube.

“I played for Ghana’s U-17 as captain, I captained the U-20 team as well. I played for Academicals too as captain, and I was made Black Stars captain as well.

"I was captain of Ghana’s U-23 team, but they dropped me from the squad for the Olympics in Barcelona. However, I went to Atlanta as captain. Sam Arday felt bad when he dropped me, but he later took me to Atlanta as compensation."

Addo also opened up on combining football with education, insisting it wasn’t common for national team players back then.

"I was the only captain playing for the Black Stars as a student at the university; it has never happened before," he added.

pulsegh

Who Stops The Hoodlums And Ferocity At The Imax Professional Boxing League (Bukom Boxing Arena)?

The Bukom Boxing Arena has in recent times faced some violence during the Ghana Professional Boxing League being organized by Imax Promotions with the support of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).

While decent personalities want to have nice entertainment of marvelous boxing, some ruffians chose to come to the venue to cause trouble and mayhem.

Most of the time foreign nationals and some VIPs also pass by to watch the exciting bouts put up by the classic boxers of Accra and it is so sad to see the programmes ending on sad notes.

Even some personnel of the Ghana Army who are supposed to ensure security at the Arena rather get involved in the turmoil and throw the place into disorder.

The other time I saw a security personnel taking the score cards or microphone from the MC, Mohammed Amin Lamptey, his life is also in danger.

It is about time that the GBA and Imax Promotions put their feet down to make sure there is total peace and tranquility during boxing bouts at the Arena.

Mr. Maxwell Tachie, CEO of Max Media has invested much into the production and he needs to be encouraged and motivated to do more. Renault has also donated cars for the winners, while others support in diverse ways.

The Arena has been getting full, because it is free entry and the scene is beautiful for television, but the tarnishing behaviour of some of the fans is not good at all.

Some time ago, Mr. John Marfo, a member of the GBA Board was on Max TV talking on the enjoyment of boxing promotions, the following week he was caught in the mix of the violence at the VIP stand.  

In fact the GBA with the support of the media, Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) and especially Max TV / Max Radio must educate the fans that boxing is sports for gentlemen, and all those hooligans must not be entertained.

The fans should be searched and checked well at the Arena to ensure they do not carry dangerous weapons.

Others are calling for a fee to be charged a token, so that the fans that come will be responsible. Because no gate fees are charged all sorts of people come to the Arena to do they like, like smoking of India hemp aka marijuana aka wee which Bukom Banku has spoken against several time.

It is time the violence at the Bukom Boxing Arena ceases. Ghana is a big name in world boxing, with so many champions, so it is not idea for the hard earned reputation to be soiled.

It seems the President of the GBA, Abraham Kotei Neequaye is part of the problem and the solution, so as the leader who must be firm and fair, he need to address issues not partially but fairly to ensure that the parties are satisfied.

An example is for the President to sit on Max TV to reverse the verdict of a bout in the League which is not professional and fair.

As President, he should ensure that all officers for a match, such as ring announcer, judges and referees, coaches and even the boxers always treated fair.

For many people, boxing is their number one sport due to their achievements (ten world champions and other laurels, so members of the boxing fraternity must maintain their status.

The main actors, the boxers and coaches are doing very well and new boxers with talent and skills are emerging every time. These boxers can become future world champions so they should be protected and guided.

The fans; women, young boys and girls and children who also come to the Arena need protection, because their lives are in danger any time they come to watch the Imax Professional Boxing League.

Meanwhile, after 15 weeks of action, Charles Quartey are in the lead with 37 points, followed by the Ghana Armed Forces with 35 points and the Ghana Prisons Service with 33 points.

Akotoku Academy are fourth on the log with 29 points, while Seconds Out is at the bottom with three points.

The sad news of the week is that Bronx Boxing Gym has been expelled from the competition.

Truly Ghana Boxing deserves better than what we see, hear and know.

By Sammy Heywood Okine, President BWAG

Mr Wisdom Loh, Father of Ghana Athletics, as he is affectionately called paid a visit to his homeland recently

While at home, the USA based athletics supporter met the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable Mustapha Yussif at the personal invitation of the Minister himself to discuss several topics and the way forward for athletics in Ghana.

He also met Mr. Ben Nuno Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

Mr Wisdom Loh a medical consultant who also is a past athlete has been working with a small group of sports lovers who have helped several local athletes gain scholarships into colleges and universities in America over the years.

He also oversees their progress academically, financially while in the USA.

According to Mr Loh, he wants to help young talents get to the next level of their sport and to raise the country's image in the field of athletics internationally.

He is hopeful Ghana win medals in future competitions if well thought out plans are made for kids to prepare and support them and their coaches.

The honorable Sports Minister thanked him for all the hard work over the years that he has contributed towards the success of Ghana Athletics and athletes.

The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee applauded him for the good work he is selflessly doing for mother Ghana and encouraged him not to give up.

He also shared important information with the GOC Boss on the way forward to ensure Ghanaian athletes and coaches work hard to prepare them to represent the nation at all levels of athletics, especially on the international stage like World Championship and Olympic Games.

Source James Thompson

It is happening in Ireland at Letterkenny | Aura Complex on Saturday | November 18^th, 2023.

It is Ghana’s  Prince Oko Nartey against Joe Ward who is coming home | The Irish Olympian, three-time European gold medallist and multiple world championship medallist prepares for his first professional bout on Irish soil.

Ward (9-1, 5KO's) will face Prince Oko Nartey (11-1, 10KO's) in the headline contest over eight rounds at light heavyweight.

The Ghanaian National Super Middleweight Champion comes to Ireland having secured ten of his eleven victories by stoppage.

Prince said it is a feeling happy in Dublin, Ireland, but he is on a mission to become one of the best boxers in the world.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The draw for the first round of the MTN FA Cup campaign has been held to pave the way for the official commencement of the exciting fixtures.

The draw for the preliminary round of the domestic cup competition was held at the GFA Secretariat on Tuesday, October 24.

At the end of the draw, clubs were zoned regionally and based on proximity, resulting in a number of local derbies at various match venues.

In a communique today, the Ghana FA has announced that the first round of the games will be played from Friday, October 27 to Monday, October, 30.

The first round of the games will see a renewal of rivalries when Wa Suntaa takes on local Maana in Wa, Steadfast vs Tamale City in Tamale, Okwawu United vs Kotoku Royals FC in Akim Tafo, Asekem FC vs King Faisal in Beposo amongst others.

Meanwhile, the winners from this round of the competition will join the 18 Premier League Clubs for the Round of 64.