Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA), has marked his first year as the continental head, subtly recounting achievement and a projection for the years to come.

In a statement released and signed by himself, the president thanked member federations for the confidence reposed in him to lead Africa and appreciated the efforts of his backroom staff in assisting him to chalk the various successes.

The statement said, “I express sincere gratitude to God, my family, the Good Friends, leadership of Ghana and Africa Armwrestling, the Wonderful Pullers in Africa, Our Coaches, Referees, Member Federations, my partners, Ghana's Minister and Ministry of Youth & Sports, the Foreign Affairs of Ghana, World Armwrestling Federation, my Lieutenants especially Vice President Kofi Addo-Agyekum and General Secretary Julien Boumsong, all my Federation Heads and the many special ones who have supported this journey.”

He assured members and partners that he would continue to work with friends and partners to make Armwrestling an enviable sport of choice in Africa.

First on his achievement was an increase in membership of the continental body as of July 2023. This improvement is due to his leadership effort in making sure that by the end of his tenure, almost all countries on the continent would have signed up to become members of the federation.

The increase in membership also showed an improve participation in competitions as the recently held Africa Armwrestling Championship in Ghana saw a record of over 164 athletes battling for continental glory,

Another achievement of the Osei Asibey led administration is the creation of competitions on the continent to give pullers more playing time on the table, apart from the annual Africa Championship, there has been the creation of the zonal competitions like the West Africa Zone Championship and the introduction of Armwrestling into the Arnold Classic Africa event.

One of the remarkable pluses of the AFA head is the federation’s affiliation to the Association of Africa Sports Confederation (AASC/UCSA) which they had struggled to be members for years but was achieved within a year of his presidency.

For the first time in the history of the sport, there has been a massive TV Coverage for Armwrestling when the Africa championship was broadcasted live on 5 traditional televisions, social media and coverage by Africa sports TV giant Supersports and the BBC.

Through his IT partners, Africa has become the only continent to develop a human resource management software as well as a competition software that would be used for local and international events.

 Again, Africa has been given the hosting rights to host the 2024 World Armwrestling Championship and for the first time armwrestling has been added to the sports code for the Africa Games.

Charles Osei Asibey, who is also the President and Founder of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), was elected President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA) at an elective congress held in Lagos, Nigeria on July 22, 2022.

He currently is working to find quality sponsorship for Africa Armwrestling.

Source: www.africaarmwrestling.com

The national amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, is set to begin a non-residential training camp at the Accra Stadium today in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifier in Dakar, Senegal, from September 9 to 15.

The President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), Bernard Quartey, confirmed that the core members of the Bombers squad had been selected based on their impressive performance in the recently concluded National Individual Championship in Accra.

“We have identified the team members for the qualifiers, and it will consist of the familiar faces from the Black Bombers team,” Quartey stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

He further mentioned that although the National Individual Championship did not conclude on a positive note due to a protest by some supporters regarding the verdict of a fight, the core members of the team managed to secure their spots.

Preparation

He said the GBF was now considering adding fighters who excelled in the championship to strengthen the Bombers' preparation for the upcoming qualifiers.

“The National Individual Championship didn’t end well but the core of the team managed to make the team and we are ready to make some additions ahead of our preparations,” he revealed.

Notable boxers such as Joseph Commey and Abraham Mensah, who won silver medals at the last Commonwealth Games, and Abdul Wahid Omar, a two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, all qualified from the National Individual Championship held from July 12 to 14 at the Accra Stadium.

The GBF aims to enhance the team's performance by incorporating talented fighters who showcased their skills during the championship.

The new approach was to ensure that the Bombers were adequately prepared for the Olympic Games qualifier.

Mr Quartey said the federation remained committed to supporting and developing Ghanaian boxing talent and was optimistic about the team's prospects in the upcoming qualifiers.

Source graphicsports

Former WBO super welterweight Africa champion, Patrick Allotey, suffered a first-round stoppage in a match against junior middleweight contender Serhii Bohachuk at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

Bohachuk, originally from Ukraine and now based in Los Angeles, demonstrated his hard-hitting prowess and controlled the fight with a methodical approach, utilizing his jab from the start.

In the closing moments of the opening round, Bohachuk landed a powerful sweeping right cross to Allotey's chin, causing him to fall face-first to the canvas. Although Allotey managed to rise after the count of nine, referee Jack Reiss surprisingly called off the fight at 2:33, leaving Allotey despondent and upset.

The defeat brought Allotey's record to 42-5, with 32 knockouts. Despite the setback, the 32-year-old Ghanaian had shown promise with two previous victories after a knockout loss to Jaime Munguia in September 2019.

Source Kweku Zurek / GraphicSports

French champions PSG are interested in the signing of Ghanaian teenage sensation Ernest Nuamah according to a report by L'Équipe.

PSG have expressed an interest in the 19-year-old left-winger who presently plies his trade at Danish side FC Nordsjaelland.

One offer has reportedly already been forwarded for the highly-rated Ghanaian youngster, but it has been turned down by the Danish club.

Nuamah, who is under contract with Nordsjaelland until June 2026, scored 15 goals and delivered 4 assists in 34 matches across all competitions last season.

The teenager capped off an impressive 2022-23 season with three individual awards, which are Young Player of the Year, Best Player for Spring (voted by coaches) and the Player of the Season (voted by players).

Nuamah made his senior debut last month when he came on a substitute when Ghana faced Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Antananarivo.

He was also part of the Ghana team at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he scored one goal in three games.

French clubs Stade Reims and Lille are also monitoring the situation of the highly talented footballer, who graduated from the Right to Dream Academy.

ghanasoccernet

Ghana’s Alfred 'Bukom Bomber' Lamptey improved his record to 13-0 on Saturday when he beat Richard Pumicpic of Philippines via R1TKO in Dubai, Sound Stage 3, Studio City.

The experienced Filipino drops in his record to 23-13- 4, while Lamptey will rise in the rankings.

The fight was a co-main event to Dicken vs Sosa IBO Featherweight World Championship event promoted by Disrupt Promotions.

Before the fight Alfred Lamptey said he will certainly win to make the people of Bukom and Ghana proud, because they believe in him and he also believes in himself.

His trainer Ebenezer Adjei alias Coach Killa predicted before the fight that Alfred 'Bukom Bomber' Lamptey will knock out his Philippines opponent Richard Pumicpic.

Lamptey won the 2021Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Boxer of the year, and he is seen as the next best thing to happen to Ghana Boxing.

He holds the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Ghana Super Feather title, WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight title, WBO Youth Super Featherweight belt, Universal Boxing Organization African Featherweight title and West African Boxing Union Super Featherweight belt.

Experienced Ghanaian referee/judge, Erasmus Owoo called a total of 6 fights on the #DickensSosa show presented by Disrupt Boxing in Dubai, refereeing 3 and judging 3 others.

Another Ghanaian, Eric Quarm trained by Lartekwei Lartey of Fit Square Gym suffered a round 4 stoppage loss to Jadier Herrera.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

In an inspiring display of talent, dedication, and sheer excellence, Ghana's Right to Dream Academy has once again emerged victorious, clinching the prestigious Gothia Cup B17 category for an unprecedented sixth time.

The academy's young football prodigies showcased their extraordinary skills on the international stage, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of youth football.

Leading to the championship game, Right To Dream had only given up one goal while scoring 17 goals.

Early on, the Stockholm team scored the first goal. Jonah Kusi-Asare of AIK received a wonderful through-pass at his feet, and he raced past the final defender before firing the ball into the goal.

Right to Dream increased the tempo and began to attack AIK. The Ghanaian team ultimately found a way through and was able to score.

Right To Dream scored their second goal of the game with just a few minutes remaining by promptly converting a corner. Right To Dream could win their sixth Gothia Cup championship thanks to the final score of 2-1.

footballGhana

Senior coaches of the Ghana Judo Association (GJA) have commend Master Steavano Kojo Tuekpe and members of WKU Ghana for organizing the first 2023 African Open Martial Arts and Combat Sports Tournament at Tema.

Coaches Samuel Quarcoe, Elkana Dodoo and Ezekiel Dodoo, the Technical Director of Ghana Judo told Yours Truly that the recent African Open was a very good programme and they would be happy to take part in the second edition.

Coach Ezekiel Dodoo who is a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Tournament said the event served as another training ground for members of the Ghana National Team, and they were happy with the awards, however they hope that in future more judokas will participate.

He said people like Steavano Tuekpe should be supported by the government and companies as the African Open was very exciting and challenging because when the athletes saw the medals and trophies, they fought well and hard to earn it.

Among the top judokas who participated were African Champion 16 year old Evelyn Dzato of Accra Girls SHS, Isaac Williams and Dallas Awenyese and Dominic Agudoo.

Judo was one of the five sports disciplines that were competed. The others are Karate Do, Taekwodo, Kickboxng and MMA.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has given its blessing to the African Open and the next edition would definitely be better and bigger.

Mr. Klaus Nonnemacher, President of WKUworld was present at the African Open and he was impressed with the performance, officiating and general organization.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana will be represented at the World Aquatics Championship - Fukuoka 2023 from 23-30th July, 2023by top swimmers. The swimmers and handlers are;

Abeku Jackson - 50metres Butterfly and 100metres Butterfly

Nubia Adjei - 50metres Backstroke and 50 metres Butterfly

Ekow F. Gwira - 50metres Freestyle and 100metres Freestyle

Team Leader- Serwaa Boateng-Gbene

Coach - Daniel Mobutu Kpetonku

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Head trainer at the Black Panthers Boxing Gym, Ebenezer Adjei alias Coach Killa believes Alfred 'Bukom Bomber' Lamptey will knock out his Philippines opponent Richard Pumicpic when they clash on Saturday

The Ghanaian world title prospect, the undefeated Alfred 'Bukom Bomber' Lamptey (12-0) and his astute trainer spoke to Yours Truly from their hotel in Dubai where they face Richard Pumicpic (23-13-3) of Philippines.

According to Coach Killer, it was very good they went to Dubai early to acclaimatise with the very hot weather.

He said the weather is a problem, but they are hungry for success to improve upon their fight record, so they do not mind the weather.

Alfred Lamptey said he will certainly win to make the people of Bukom and Ghana proud, because they believe in him and he also believes in himself.

“I know this is another opportunity to keep focus on the world title, and am going to do it, when the chance comes for a knock out, I will utilize it” he said.

He asked all his fans to pray for a sweet victory.

Eric Quarm, another Ghanaian coached by Lartekwei Lartey of Fit Square Gym will fight Jadier Herrera on the bill.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian world boxing title prospect, Alfred Lamptey and Filipino, Richard Pumicpic have weigh in ahead the international super featherweight 10-rounder bout on Saturday 22nd July, 2023 in Dubai.

33 year old Filipino, Richard Pumicpic. (23-13-3) weighed at 133 lbs, while Lamptey 21, aka ‘Bukom Bomber’ or ‘Show Time’ stood at 132.3 lbs. He is undefeated in 12 bouts.

He is a multiple title holder in the Super Featherweight division, but his target is the big ones, WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO, and he believes a win will get him near his dreams.

Lamptey won the 2021Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Boxer of the year, and he is seen as the next best thing to happen to Ghana Boxing.

He holds the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Ghana Super Feather title, WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight title, WBO Youth Super Featherweight belt, Universal Boxing Organization African Featherweight title and West African Boxing Union Super Featherweight belt.

The whole of Bukom is praying that he wins. According to his manager, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, the fever of the fight has caught up in the cradle of boxing and he is optimistic for victory.

By Sammy Heywood Okine