The Elections Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has released the full list of eligible candidates for the 2023 SWAG national elections.

The Committee comprising, Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, Madam Gloria Commodore and Mr. Matthias Tiny has released the candidates who have shown interest to serve the Association for the next four years.

12 qualified members will vie for various positions of the Association ranging from the President, Vice President, and Treasurer to Executive members as well as the newly introduced Women's Commissioner.

Incumbent President, the legendary sports journalist, Kwabena Yeboah aka 'Oluwaa" is going for his third term as leader of the group as unopposed. Mr. Maurice Quansah of Graphic Sports, the current vice-president of SWAG, meanwhile faces competition from former Asante Kotoko and Hasaacas Ladies Mrs. Evelyn Nsiah Asare for the second most important position of the Association.

Here is the list of qualified candidates and the positions they are contesting for below :

1.President

Kwabena Yeboah

2.Vice-President

Maurice Quansah

Evelyn Nsiah Asare

3.Secretary General

Charles Osei Asibey

4.Deputy Secretary General

Keneth Odeng Adade

Joseph Mensah Oti-Asirifi

5.Treasurer

Owuraku Nsiah

6.Women’s Commissioner

Mavis Amanor

7.Executive Members

Tilda Elinam Acolor

Franklin Anane Gyimah

Kyei Manu

Augustine Kwabena Ohene-Bampoe Brenya

The elections which take place on October 21st, 2023 will be very interesting.

SWAG membership has increased in recent times with branches in Ashanti, Volta, Western, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Niis And Naas Company Shop has opened at Blue Lagoon, Sakaman near Dansoman in Accra.

On Saturday afternoon, Sempe Mankralo / Shipi and Gyasehene of Akim Asubua, Dr. Nii Adotey Dzata1 joined his wife Naa 1 to celebrate her birthday which was climaxed with the opening of the new shop where drivers can park and shop at their own time.

The shop has anything for family and friends from toiletries to provisions to any other thing one can request and get in a short period. There is also a frozen meat and fish shop. 

The ceremony was graced and witnessed by family members and friends.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

FIFA World Cup in 2030 is set to unite the world in unique global celebration Photograph:(AFP)

While Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be the joint hosts for the marquee event, games will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay

Football's global governing body FIFA on Wednesday (October 4) announced it had reached an agreement to host the 2030 World Cup across three continents viz, South America, Africa and Europe.

While Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be the joint hosts for the marquee event, games will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. As a result, all six nations will automatically qualify for the World Cup.

"In 2030, the FIFA World Cup will unite three continents and six countries, inviting the entire world to join in the celebration of the beautiful game, the Centenary and the FIFA World Cup itself," FIFA said in a statement.

FIFA said the World Cup matches were being held in South America as part of the centenary celebration of the first World Cup held in Uruguay. According to FIFA, the three South American nations will organise one match each with the first of the three matches taking place at the stadium where it all began - the mythical Estádio Centenário, located in the Uruguayan capital city of Montevideo.

“The centennial World Cup could not be far from South America, where everything began,” said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American soccer body CONMEBOL. “The 2030 World Cup will be played in three continents.”

Notably, the decision was made at a virtual meeting of the FIFA council. It will need to be confirmed in a vote with all 211 FIFA members present at an event, likely to take place before the next FIFA congress in Bangkok in 2024.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the muti-continent World Cup will unite a divided world.

“In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting. he FIFA Council, representing the entire world of football, unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup, whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way," said Infantino.

The decision also closes months of speculation and jostling among the continental confederations who were vying to receive the right to play host.

Additionally, FIFA said the 2034 World Cup will be staged in a host country (or countries) represented by the Asian or Oceania confederations. According to football pundits, it means a bid from Saudi Arabia is highly likely and a repeat of the Winter World Cup that took place in Qatar last year might be on the cards.

Apart from the kingdom, Australia is expected to put in its bid, perhaps alongside Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country.  

Source: wionews.com

Ghanaian Breakers B Boy Blesso and B Girl Tris in Montpellier, France for Afrobreak International Battle

Ghanaian breakers B Boy Blesso and B Girl Tris who won the Ghana Qualifiers of the Afrobreak Competition have landed in Montpellier, France to compete for the international contest.

The two rising stars were accompanied by Nana Tufour Okai aka B Boy Lyrics, founder of the Afrobreak events.

Blesso with Ghanaian parents came from Nigeria to work in Ghana, while Tris is an Accra girl from Chorkor.

Through sports and entertainment they have seen places.

The Montpellier programme is from October 9th to 15th, to project the rhythm of the Euro Africa Breakdance:

* Building on the momentum of the 2021 New Africa France Summit and the cooperation efforts driven by the organization of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Montpellier Euro Africa Biennial delves into Breakdance with the aim of assessing the initiatives launched since 2021 and outlining prospects for the period 2024/2026.

* Throughout the week, numerous activities are offered to engage participants from Africa, including educational workshops, work sessions, competitions, demonstrations, and initiations. These activities are organized in collaboration with French and European partners associated with various projects in the concerned countries as well as with the youth of Montpellier.

From Monday, October 9^th, there would be a Special event on the Evolution of Breakdance in Africa at Montpellier by the African Cultural Institute, then on Tuesday, October 10^th there is a Forum on Breakdance in Euro Africa, as well as Diffusion of the Spectacle of the African Theater Jerome Savary.

On Wednesday, October 11^th there would be a Workshop on Breakdance Initiations and DJing Techniques, Thursday, October 12th, & Friday, October 13t is Maison Pour Tous Le Hangar: Stage and Workshops on B-boying.

Saturday, October 14th is the Grand Afro Break Battle with live DJ sets, Food, and Drinks.

Breaking is one of the new sports at the 2020 Olympic Games, and Ghana is doing well in developing and promoting the discipline.

In Ghana, workshops, Seminars and Competitions have been held in Accra, Cape Coast, Elmina and Takoradi. They have also gone to African nations like Togo, Senegal, Morocco, Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania and Cote dIvoire to compete and create awareness on Breaking.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The pride of the Bronx Boxing Gym, John Laryea is still undefeated as he defended his WBO Africa Featherweight title against Gabriel Odoi Laryea in a 12 round championship contest at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

John who is affectionately called the Expensive Boxer dominated the match and impressed his fans with a good display of attack and defence to prove that he is ready to take on the world.

In round 12, 2:38secs John piled pressure on Gabriel to win by way of TKO.

John Laryea is still the WBO African Featherweight champion.

Friends of Boxing have sent congratulatory messages to him to keep on working hard.

His manager, Sammy Anim Addo was one of the happiest people after the impressive victory over the experienced Gab Laryea.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GHAMMAF) will organize courses for referee / judges and first aid for medics on Friday, October 13 and Saturday October 14 at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium from 9am to 3pm.

According to President of the Federation Mr. Collins Zoiku, all interested staff of the National Sports Authority (NSA) are warmly invited and for more information one can contact 0245830830.

He said the course is powered by the IMMAF, the international body as the Federation prepares to host the African Games (demonstration event).

By Sammy Heywood Okine

19 times national junior boxing champion, Joseph Awinongya Jr. will be honored with a proclamation from new Lenox Mayor, Tim Baldermann on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Village of New Lenox 1 Veterans PKWY, New Lenox, IL 60451 at 7pm.

Awinongya who is affectionately called ‘Jojo’ was born in the United States of America USA by Ghanaian parents.

His dad, Joseph Awinongya Sr. was a boxer who later became a trainer and has coached his son to become one of the famous young boxers in the world.

He says the target is to become a world champion; however they love to combine education and sports.

According to Awinongya Sr. determination and the will to do as well as passion is what keeps them going.

He thanked everyone who has supported them to reach this level, however beyond the sky is their limit and will keep on going.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian experienced Kickboxer, Gerald Kodjo Dah is taking the sports to a different higher level and wants the sports media to support and help in the development and promotion.

Speaking to Yours Truly from his base in Malaysia, he said sports is great business and Ghanaians must invest in sports more to help the youth coming up, as there are so many contests and opportunities.

He will be engaged in two serious local and international bouts coming up on October 26 to 28 in Bintulu, Malaysia against Sibsan from Thailand and on November 21 in Hong Kong against Rungtiwa Jantas also of Thailand.

Gerald Dah who is 175cm and fights at the 76kg weight class has a remarkable record of 29 fights, won 24, lost 5 and drawn 2 in his illustrious profession career.

He stages in K1 Kickboxing style and Muay Thai.

In 2013, he won the WKBC Championship in Hong Kong, in 2014, he won the WKF Kickboxing Championship in Austria, in 2022 he was the Super Muay Thai Champion in Malaysia.

He was formerly with the Power Zone Club in Ghana, but currently stars for Top Dog Muay Thai Gym in Malaysia.

By Sammy Heywood Okine  

WBO Africa Representative Approves John Laryea To Defend Title Against Gabriel Odoi Laryea

Mr. Samir Captan, World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Representative in Africa has sanctioned the title defence of John Laryea against Gabriel Odoi Laryea.

The bout comes up at the Bukom Boxing Arena this evening, Saturday October 7, 2023.

According to Mr. Sammy Anim Addo of the Bronx Boxing Promotions, they are very happy and thank the WBO Africa Representative for the opportunity.

He said John Laryea is very much prepared to take his career to the highest level and their target is the WBO World title which Isaac Dogboe failed to clinch.

“We are different and when our time comes, we hope to utilize it fully. I want to thank Coach Lawrence Carl Lokko and all the people who make the Bronx Boxing Gym one of the best in the world”.

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has already sanctioned the bout between the two Laryeas and it is expected to be another great night.

John Laryea who is undefeated has 12 bouts with the last one on his birthday at the Idrowhyte Events Center at Dansoman where he had a good match up against Samuel Martey and at the end he was rewarded by legend Asamoah Gyan with a birthday package.

The much tested and experienced Gabriel Odoi Laryea (21-6-4) has also promised to give off a good fight to make his fans happy

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Women’s Wing of YMCA and Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) last Saturday October 7, 2023 organized a successful Breast Cancer Awareness and Free Screening Programme at the Kasoa Poly Clinic.

Madam Agnes Abefe of the National Sports Authority (NSA)  and WOSPAG said the programme was well attended and very successful.

She appealed to other organisations to frequently organize such programmes to make people aware of their health status and promote wellness and fitness.

She expressed that WOSPAG is also there to collaborate with organisations to promote health among girls and women.

According to Madam Abefe who is General Secretary in charge of Ampe as a sport in Ghana, efforts must be made to take Ampe to the international level.

She hoped the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the NSA will see the impact of Ampe on Ghanaian and African girls as a sport for education and entertainment.

She said sports is very good for girls especially, and parents must encourage their girls to engage in sports activities.

By Sammy Heywood Okine