Seven Ghana Boxers will be in the ring in Dakar today in the Round of 16 to begin their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Janet Acquah will meet Veliswa Siphendis of Swaziland in the Women’s Flyweight,, Lightweight Sarah Apew will clash with Valera C. Mendes of Cape Verde, while Seth Gyamfi aka Freezy Macbones takes on home boy Seydou M. Konate of Senegal in the Men’s Heavyweight.

Light Middleweight Alfred Kotey will clash with Thiago Muxanga of Mozambique, as Heavyweight David Bawa fights Kadi Monrad of Algeria.

Men’s Flyweight will see Theophilus Allotey against Fitwi T. Nigus of Ethiopia, while Abdul Wahid Omar takes on Amzolele of South Africa in a Featherweight fray.

Coach Dr. Ofori Asare said it will not be an easy qualification and called on Ghanaians to pray for Team Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s Black Challenge are in the Semis of the Amputee Football Competition at the First African Para Games being hosted in Accra.

After the Prelims at the UPSA Astro Turf the Finals have been shifted to the McDan Park at La.

If there is one event that Ghana must try to win then it is the Amputee Football.

In the Preliminary stage they beat Uganda and Liberia 7-0 and 5-0 respectively but lost 1-2 to Morocco.

On Saturday, September 9, Ghana comes up against another north African side, Egypt who has one of the best players in the world in their team.

However Emmanuel Akpabli, welfare officer of the Black Challenge says they are hosting and winning so the fans should come and watch.

Morocco will face Angola in the other Semi Final.

The third place and finals has been fixed for Sunday September 10 at the same venue.

Technical Director of the Black Challenge, Ali Jarra is very optimistic Ghana will rise to the occasion and win the cup and medals.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

In the realm of philanthropy and tennis, one name has risen above the rest, capturing the essence of unity and passion. Gina Asiedu-Ofei, an unassuming Ghanaian with an unwavering love for tennis since the tender age of six, has emerged as a beacon of hope and change, impacting lives through her non-profit organization, Bergins Outreach Inc.

The stage was set on September 3rd at the Hilton Hotel in the USA, where the African Community Service Awards (ACSA 2023) unfolded. Among the hundreds seated to witness the celebration of African excellence was Gina Asiedu-Ofei, affectionately known as @daroyalbaby in the virtual realm.

The accolade bestowed upon Gina was a culmination of her remarkable contributions to tennis, both within her native Ghana and across borders. Her foundation, Bergins Outreach, has become synonymous with the empowerment of aspiring tennis players, fostering the love for the game while creating an inclusive environment.

The heart of Bergins Outreach lies in its mission to break down barriers and provide opportunities. Through this philanthropic venture, Gina and her team have generously supplied tennis equipment to children and adults alike, igniting the fire of passion within their hearts.

In a moment that radiated humility and grace, Gina expressed her gratitude to the ACSA for recognizing her dedication through Bergins Outreach. Her words echoed her commitment to the African continent and her desire to continue making a meaningful impact.

Bergins Outreach's influence stretches far and wide, reaching numerous tennis clubs across Ghana's sixteen regions. With every donated equipment piece, the foundation's love for the sport is palpable, serving as a catalyst for the young and young-at-heart to embrace tennis.

Her philanthropic prowess is underlined by the list of beneficiaries Bergins Outreach has supported. From the Ho Tennis Club, St. Francis Tennis Academy, and Atomic Tennis Club, to name a few.

Gina's dedication transcends geographical boundaries, leaving a lasting impact on aspiring players.

The story of Gina's commitment culminated in the Tennis Social Event held at The Reach Tennis Club in Accra, on July 7th, 2023. This event wasn't just about forehands and volleys; it was about connecting minds, building relationships, and nurturing a community united by tennis.

The African Community Service Awards (ACSA 2023) encapsulated the vibrancy of the continent, enveloping patrons and awardees in the richness of African music and cuisine. Gina's recognition added another layer of inspiration, highlighting the immense potential for individuals to drive change.

Gina's acceptance speech resonated with everyone present at the event. Her journey, was fueled by her parents' Albert and Georgina Asiedu-Ofei’s legacy, is a testament to the transformative power of sports and community service. In her own words, "Receiving the African Community Service Award is like hitting a perfect backhand – unexpected, thrilling, and incredibly satisfying."

As Gina Asiedu-Ofei continues to serve as an emblem of philanthropy and tennis, her story reminds us that every swing, every gesture of kindness, and every boundary broken carries the potential to unite, inspire, and transform. With her unwavering spirit, Gina is playing on, playing strong, and making the world a better place through the beautiful game of tennis.

www.berginsoutreach.com

IG: @berginsoutreach

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and Mr. Samson Deen President of the Ghana National Paralympic Committee (NPC) as well as the African Paralympic Committee (APC) were special guests of the French Embassy at a reception in Accra.

President of Breaking Federation of Ghana, Nana Tufour Okai aka Bboy Lyrics  was also in attendance.

Ghana’s capital city, Accra is hosting the first ever African Para Games involving three disciplines namely, Wheel Chair Basketball, Wheel Chair Tennis and Amputee Football.

About 15 nations are represented and so far the event has been very successful.

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif performed the opening ceremony at a very colourful programme at the Bukom Boxing Arena last Sunday.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and Mr. Samson Deen President of the Ghana National Paralympic Committee (NPC) as well as the African Paralympic Commiittee (APC) were special guests of the French Embassy at a reception in Accra.

Ghana’s capital city, Accra is hosting the first ever African Para Games involving three disciplines namely, Wheel Chair Basketball, Wheel Chair Tennis and Amputee Football.

About 15 nations are represented and so far the event has been very successful.

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif performed the opening ceremony at a very colourful programme at the Bukom Boxing Arena last Sunday.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced that the eagerly anticipated selection of hosts for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in 2025 and 2027 will finally take place later this month.

The host nations for these two editions of the prestigious tournament will be unveiled after a meeting of the Caf Executive Committee, scheduled for September 27 in Cairo, an official statement revealed Thursday.

These announcements have been eagerly awaited for nearly a year, ever since Caf revoked Guinea’s hosting rights for the 2025 finals in October 2022 and subsequently revealed plans to designate the hosts for the 2027 finals simultaneously.

Guinea’s forfeiture of the 2025 tournament stemmed from Caf’s assessment that the nation lagged significantly behind in its preparations for the 24-team tournament.

Subsequently, Caf initiated a process to reopen bidding, with a plan to make a selection early in 2023. However, Caf has repeatedly postponed the final decision.

The deadline for declaration of interest was extended to April, during which Caf received bids from Algeria, Morocco, and Zambia for the 2025 finals, along with a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria.

Bids were also submitted for the 2027 Afcon by Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, and a collaborative candidacy from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Sources within the Caf Executive Committee have suggested that the long-standing political rivalry between cross-border neighbours Algeria and Morocco complicated the decision-making process.

However, a potential compromise has been brokered, with Morocco bidding for only one of the two tournaments. This arrangement leaves the door open for Morocco to secure the 2025 finals, while Algeria could be awarded the 2027 showpiece.

Caf took a thorough approach by dispatching evaluation teams to all bidding countries and appointing an independent assessor to oversee the inspections. Nevertheless, the ultimate decision on the hosts rests with the Caf Executive Committee.

The history of hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in the past decade has been marked by various challenges and shifts, starting with South Africa stepping in to replace war-torn Libya in 2013.

In 2014, Guinea was awarded the right to host the 2023 finals alongside Cameroon (2019) and Ivory Coast (2021). However, Cameroon’s readiness for the 2019 finals was called into question, leading to Egypt’s hosting of the tournament. Cameroon subsequently successfully hosted the 2021 edition, which was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cote d’Ivoire was slated to host the 2023 Afcon in June but was postponed by six months due to concerns about the rainy season in West Africa.

Source: Footy-ghana

Crystal Palace attacker Jordan Ayew has reached a new milestone in his career after reaching 91 appearances for the Black Stars.

Ayew captained the Black Stars to beat Central Africa Republic in the final round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ghana inflicted a 2-1 won to secure qualification to the AFCON tournament to be staged in Ivory early next year.

The 31-year-old is currently on same number of games with former Ghana defender John Paintsil.

Ayew has now tied John Paintsil's feat with 91 matches, trailing only his brother Andre Ayew (114), Asamoah Gyan (109), and Richard Kingston (93) in the standings.

Ayew made his debut for the Black Stars in 2010 and has since established himself as a key member of the team.

The Black Stars showed resilience to overcome their opponent in the highly competitive clash at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday.

Central Africa Republic opened the scoring in the first but Mohammed Kudus restored parity for the host after connecting a nice free-kick.

A spirited performance in the second half saw Black Stars secure victory to secure qualification to the 2023 AFCON tournament.

Substitute Ernest Nuamah slotted home the match winner as Ghana finish top of the table in Group E.

FootballGhana

The Ballon d'Or is a annual celebration of the most exceptional footballing talent of the season

Five African players are vying to win the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in the football world.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Cameroon’s Andre Onana and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou have dazzled their way to the 2023 men's shortlist, after impressing football fans and pundits over the past season.

They are up against global favourites such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.

Asisat Oshoala, a forward for the Nigerian national women’s football team and the Spanish club FC Barcelona, is the only woman from the continent nominated in the female category.

She has won the Confederation of African Footballer's African Women's Player of the Year award a stunning five times.

The Ballon d'Or is an annual celebration of the most exceptional footballing talent of the season and the winners this year will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 30 October.

To date, Liberian President George Weah remains the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or, which he did as an AC Milan player in 1995.

Source: BBC Africa

The Ghana Cycling Federation and Prudential Life will organize the 4th edition of the PruRide Cycling Race at the Accra Sports Stadium on 10th September 2023.

According to the Technical Director of the GCF, Mr Dan Amoo, the event is very important on their calendar and they expect a huge patronage.

Mr. Shaaban Mohammed, Secretary General of the GCF said he expects a good event as the recent world championship has taught them many things.

He urged all cycling clubs to come and compete.

Miss Elizabeth A. Gyamfi, a journalist who has been supporting and encouraging female cycling said the PruRide is another opportunity for cyclists to show their skills and improve upon their times and performance.

 “I look forward to a bigger and better edition, particularly as we celebrate 175 years of helping people get the most out of life,” the CEO of Prudential Life, Dr Hazel Berrard Amuah, said at the launch of the Race some few months ago.

Registration for the PruRide 2023 began on June 22 and ended on August 31.

All professional cyclists need a UCI licensed or belong to cycling club to participate.

The male winner in the professional race will take home GHc15,000, second place collects GHc8,000 while  the second runner up gets GHc5,000 and fourth place GHc1,000.

The female winner will get GHc10,000, while second and third place takes GHc5,000 and GHc3,000 respectively.

The regular adult category race will cover 17.5km distance, while the kids' category covers a distance of 1.75km.

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

Second and third places for male and female will also be rewarded with cash prizes and medals, while the youngest cyclist will walk home with GHc500.

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

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Tug Of War Association (GHATOWA) will stage a special Championship for fishing communities along the coast of Ghana.

The Championship will involve Tug of War Clubs from James Town, Chorkor, Teshie, Nungua, Tema New Town, and other parts of Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions.

Mr. Emmanuel Olla Williams, President of the GHATOWA said the Greater Accra Championship is scheduled for at James Town in Ga Mashie (Accra Central) on Thursday the 21st of September, 2023, while venues and dates in regions will be announced soon.

He said the event is part of GHATOWA’s preparations to participate in the African Tug of War Championship as well as the World Championship in Germany next year.

Mr. Olla Williams appealed to the Government, companies and individuals to come on board by way of sponsorship and partnership to ensure the realization of this goal.

He said that the Tug of War is a safe healthy sport which when given the necessary support will generate a lot of benefits for Ghana.

“The Tug of War Championship is an opportunity for businesses to market, advertise and promote their brands in diverse ways” he expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine