President of the Ghana FA Kurt Okraku says his outfit will do everything possible in an attempt to curb poor patronage of the Ghana Premier League.

The domestic top-flight will commence across the various league centres in the upcoming weekend.

Last season, there were low turnout at the various stadia in the Ghana Premier League.

However, the Ghana FA boss has reiterated his desire to help resolve low patronage of the Ghanaian top-tier league in the upcoming season.

“I think everyone will have to play a big part in ensuring that fans patronize our league. I have reiterated our (GFA) desire to promote the league and it is also important for the clubs to promote themselves and also get closer to the media to work towards the common vision”

“Going into the new season, I think that the FA is very much committed. Football is a tool that brings togetherness, so we want to use the medium to bring people together so we can enjoy our most popular sport” he said.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian world title winning boxing trainer, Paul Kofi Dogboe has officially began a reign as head of the Klevia Clan of Anlo in the Volta Region of Ghana following his installation as Torgbui Badu IV of Anyako on Thursday.

Having undergone traditional rites at the sacred forest at the dawn of day, Torgbui Badu IV was carried in a triumphant fashion as he danced on a palanquin made with three guns through the streets of Anyako to the Royal Badu family house where he will now be confined for seven days.

The peaceful installation ceremony is expected to be completed at the family outdooring next week Saturday, September 16 at the Torgbui Badu family house in same Anyako.

The now former Paul Dogboe takes over after 17 years of vacancy, the elders and kingmakers having identified the former British Army officer to spearhead the traditional affairs of the Klevia clan.

Torgbui Badu IV’s peaceful installation was with the wholehearted blessings of Torgbui Sri III of the Ewe Duk), Torgbui Agbesi  Awusu II (Awadada of Anlo), Torgbui Tenge Dzokoto Gligui VI (Dufia of Anyako), Torgbui Dukli Attipoe V and the Klevie clan, Torgbui Kposegi IV of Anyako Woeto, Mama Kekelifla I as well as Torgbui Bina (Regent of the Badu Royal house of Anyako).

“After 17 years of absence, the divine appointment by the Stool of the Royal Badu House, Klevie Clan has now finally been revealed,” noted a family statement.

“Now the Creator has spoken. Paul Kofi Dogboe from the Royal House of Torgbui Badu of Anyako, Volta Region, has emerged as Torgbui Badu IV,” it affirmed.

Dogboe famously coached his son, Isaac Dogboe to win the WBO junior featherweight world title in 2018, the youngest boxing world champion from Ghana.

Source Prince Dornu

... Congratulates and Promise Government will reward them

Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, the Deputy Minister of Youth& Sports was at the Oceanic Beach Resort at Korle Gonno to meet the leaders of the National Para Athletes teams at their base, from where they are  participating in the first African Para Games.

He was accompanied by his chief director, accountant and PRO, they brought good tidings from the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo and the Minister of Youth & Sports who is out of the country attending an international conference.

The Deputy Minister assured the athletes that all their per diems, allowances and bonuses would be paid to them by tomorrow, Tuesday after documents have been processed.

He commended them for their patience and hailed the Amputee Football team, the Black Challenge for ensuring that Ghana hosts and win that discipline.

Ghana had to fight from a goal down to beat a tough and tactical Moroccan team, after defeating Egypt at the Semi Final of Amputee Football.

Ghana's top defender and  captain, Richard Attah led his gallant heroes to be  awarded the gold medals and trophy. Morocco took Silver and Egypt settled on Bronze.

The Fair Play award was given to Uganda.

Mohammed Mubarak was adjudged the Best Player of the tournament.

Razak Seidu won the Best Goalkeeper award while the Goal King went to a Moroccan. Ghana’s Stephen Obeng was voted the Best Coach.

Other sports disciplines represented are Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Tennis.

Ghanaian, Mr. Samson Deen, is President of the African Paralympic Committee (APC). He thanked everyone who supported the Games.

The multi sport program was scheduled for September 3rd to 12, 2023 in Accra Ghana.

36 countries including Ghana confirmed to participate, Gambia, Cameroun, Senegal, Egypt, Cape Verde, Mali, Guinea, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Benin Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Eritrea, Burundi, South Africa, Comoros, Nigeria.

Others are Sao Tome, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Libya, Botswana, Gabon, Sudan, Rwanda, Liberia, Togo, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco, and Central African Republic.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Prince Kudufia of EPIC Club won the Prudential Life Cycling Competition which started and ended at the Independence Square last Sunday.

The event which was held in collaboration with the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) saw a pool of amateur and professional cyclists. The regular adult category race covered 17.5km distance, while the kids' category was a distance of 1.75km.

Prince Kudufia and his club really did well in the professional race. He beat likes of Nuru Paddy, Prince Tetteh, Frank Akuffo, Joseph Nii Amarkwei, Michael Atinga, Solomon Tagoe, John Gabriel, Michael Naba and team mate Lawrence Adjei, the defending champion.

He went home with a medal, trophy and cash prize prize of 15,000ghc. The second got 8,000ghc and a medal and trophy, while the third place collected 5,000ghc and a medal and trophy.

The female winner got GHc10,000, while second and third place took GHc5,000 and GHc3,000 respectively. The fourth place winners took homeGHc1,000.

Winners in the male and female categories received cash prize of GHc3,000 and GHc2,000 respectively, as well as medals.

Second and third places for male and female also got cash prizes and medals, while the youngest cyclist went home with GHc500.

Emmanuel Semakor won the Amateur category. He was followed by Henry Oware, Alfred Acquah, Reginald Hammond, Daniel Otorgbor, Aaron Dickson, Kwabena Larbie, Kweku Amuzu, Emmanuel Dusi and Emmanuel Asante.

Nigerians dominated the female professional category with Treasure, Patience and Efe stealing the show. The oldest cyclist to complete the race was 67years old Ezekiel Titus Glover.

Mr. Shaaban Mohammed, General Secretary of the GCF commended every cyclist who took part to make the event successful.

He congratulated the coaches and technical handlers of the cycling clubs.

CEO of Prudential Life, Dr Hazel Berrard Amuah said “As we celebrate 175 years, cycling is part of our programmes to help people get the most out of life,”

Chairman of the LOC for the 13^th African Games, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu – Asare who graced the event re-assured that the African Olympics will certainly come on.

He advised athletes to start preparations to win medals for mother Ghana.

The professional cyclists who took part are licensed by UCI and belong to clubs.

Team FCG Cycling Club performed well at the 4th edition of Prudential Africa PruRide 2023,

The PruRide has been termed as Ghana’s finest urban cycling race.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

12 years old Samuel Plange who was voted Best Boxer at the 2023 Greater Accra Ga Homowo Boxing Tournament on Monday presented his awards to his school, Prince De Henry Educational Complex at Laterbiokorshie in Accra.

The James Town Boxing Gym product was supported by ace Sports Journalist and President of the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) as well as Deputy Communications Director of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine who made the presentation and advised the pupils to be serious with their studies, and do every thing will love, dedication and commitment.

Mr. Eric Otabil, a teacher on behalf of the school presented a new school bag and stationary to Samuel Plange. He urged him to train harder to win more laurels and tasked other pupils to do same in other disciplines.

Mr. Archiebald Nii Amartei Armah, proprietor of the school commended Samuel Plange for his achievements over the past three years and advised him to be focused on his education and sport as both will take him to bigger places.

Present at the short ceremony were Coach Randy of the James Town Boxing Gym, Africanus Neequaye of Labone SHS, a boxer who passed through Prince De Henry Education Complex and Mubarak Nanor aka America, a GBA licensed Make Maker.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Amputee Football team have been crowned champions after coming from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2023 African Paralympic Games football tournament at the MacDan Park in Accra.

Known as The Black Challenge they entered the final seeking revenge over the Moroccans, having lost 2-1 to the North Africans at the group stage.

The Moroccans started the game much stronger as they posed more threat in attack to Team Ghana, forcing goalkeeper (his name) into making saves.  

They eventually broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through a beautiful curler into the top left corner after a mistake by midfielder, Allotey who gave the ball away cheaply in midfield.

The Black Challenge started the second half much better as they kept on mounting pressure on the Morocco defense and forcing goal keeper into making some wonderful saves.

After series of pressure, the football gods finally smiled on the Ghanaian side in the dying embers of the game as Hamza Mohammed finished off a beautiful team move to bring Team Ghana back on level terms.

As the place erupted with the crowd singing and cheering them on, Team Ghana, took advantage of the momentum and took the lead.

Captain Richard Attah scored from a beautifully worked freekick to complete and give the Black Challenge a 2-1 lead in extra time to win the trophy for Team Ghana.

He thanked God, the executive of Ghana Amputee Football, the LOC, the technical staff, media and all those who have supported them to win at home.

Source NPC

Ghana's Amputee Football team, the Black Challenge will clash with Morocco in the final of the Amputee Football event on Sunday at the first African Games being hosted in Accra, Ghana.

Morocco beat Angola 4-2 after extra time, while Ghana defeated Egypt 2-1 in the exciting Semi Final duels at the McDan Park, La.

Both games were interesting and drew a large crowd to the venue.

The star of the day was Ghana's number 10, Mohammed Mubarak who outclassed the opposing Egyptian star spotting the same number.

Team Ghana really did well backed by the ever vibrant Ghana Sports Supporters cheering and chanting paired with artistic dancing.

Richard Oppentil. Captain of the Black Challenge thanked the fans for the massive support and appealed to the government, corporate bodies and individuals to show love to them by supporting the team.

He said the battle is not ended, as their final against Morocco will be tough, but he was optimistic that Ghana will carry the day.

Welfare Officer of the team, Emmanuel Akpabli congratulated the players and urged them to go for the gold. He said they should not jubilate much until the win the trophy.

President of the Ghana National Paralympic Committee and African Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen was very happy for the entry into the final and charged the Black Challenge to make name for themselves and the nation.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian boxers at the African Olympic Games Paris 2024 are not having it rosy in their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Dakar, the Senegal capital is hosting the tournament which will end on September 15. Several African countries are participating the the ‘Road To Paris 2023’.

Janet Acquah set Ghana on a winning not against Veliswa Siphendis of Swaziland in the Women’s Flyweight to move to the quarter finals, but Lightweight Sarah Apew lost 5-0 to Valera C. Mendes of Cape Verde.

Seth Gyamfi aka Freezy Macbones was beaten by Seydou M. Konate of Senegal in the Men’s Light Heavyweight.

Light Middleweight Alfred Kotey lost to Thiago Muxanga of Mozambique, as Heavyweight David Bawa was also stopped in R2 by Kadi Monrad of Algeria.

Theophilus Allotey won his Men’s Flyweight contest 4-1 against Fitwi T. Nigus of Ethiopia in the round of 32, while his team mate at Wisdom, Abdul Wahid Omar also beat Amzolele of South Africa 5- 0 in a Featherweight fray.

Coach Dr. Ofori Asare said certainly some will fall and some will move on, however the tournament continues.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

12 years old Samuel Plange for the second season running was voted Best Juvenile Boxer at the Greater Accra Ga Homowo Boxing Tournament.

He is a product of the Jamestown Boxing Club, headed by Coach Randy who has groomed the prodigy to get involved in so many bouts, so he is never afraid of anybody.

Samuel Plange was inspired by his own dad, Mr Isaac Plange when he was four years old, as he saw the future of boxing in him.

He is also very hopeful that boxing will make him a super star and great person in future.

Plange started his boxing lessons at SeaView Boxing Gym, and moved to Jamestown Boxing Club under the same trainers.

Coach Randy says Samuel Plange is a special kid and believes his future is bright. Many people have seen him in action and they admire his style, strategies, footworks and punching power.

The pupil of Prince De Henry Educational Complex is under the institution’s scholarship scheme funded by Mr. Archiebald Née Amartei Armah, proprietor of the school.

News reaching Yours Truly is that the school has a special package for him which will be released on Monday. Watch out for the package from Mr. Armah who loves to support talented kids.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Head trainer of the national Boxing teams, Black Bombers and Black Hitters, coach Dr. Ofori Asare has called on Ghanaians to pray for the boxers to win and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an interview, he said the boxers have prepared and trained well for the tournament, but that is not enough until the blessings of God or spiritual aspect is added.

He said the boxers are in shape and look poised for business, but it would not be easy as others too have prepared and only one boxer who wins gold will qualify for the Olympic Games in 2024.

According to Coach Asare, they are never complecent or over confident, but focused and determined to win all bouts.

"We are here to win so tell Ghanaians to pray for us. It is not easy but we will triumph" he said.

Coach Asare is the founder of Wisdom Boxing Club has been to many international Tournaments and at the Tokyo 2020 he won a bronze medal with Samuel Takyi.

Two boxers from the Wisdom Boxing Club are in the squad, experienced Abdul Wahid Omar and Theophilus Allotey.

Seth Gyamfi aka Freezy MacBones is in the team together with Jonathan Tetteh who said he will hurt someone at the African Qualifier.

By Sammy Heywood Okine