Black Meteors head coach Ibrahim Tanko did not hold back in his assessment of the team's performance at the 2023 U-23 African Cup of Nations tournament.

After failing to progress in the tournament following a 1-1 draw with Guinea, Tanko spoke candidly about the team's shortcomings in a post-match interview.

Tanko acknowledged that Ghana was not the strongest team in terms of quality in the tournament but emphasized that they were working hard to improve.

He also mentioned that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) was making efforts to bring about changes, but more needed to be done.

In an attempt to highlight the team's need for improvement, Tanko drew a comparison between their performance in a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt and their overall performance in the tournament.

Tanko stated, "Yes, everybody saw it, definitely we are not the best in this tournament when it comes to quality but we are definitely working hard as a country.

“The FA is trying to change something but definitely we have to do more like you said.

“When you look at the game against Egypt (pre-tournament friendly) and today, you could see that yes, I think we need to catch up otherwise it’s going to be too late.”

Footballghana

The entire leadership of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Ghana has expressed their gratitude and out felt appreciation to His Royal Highness, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his compassion and kindness towards the Professional Golfers who took part in the just ended Memory Lane PGA championship and Asantehene gold cup which were staged at the Royal Golf Course in Kumasi.

In a statement signed and released in the English capital, London to the media, the director of operations at PGA Ghana Ahmed Padori indicated that the entire professional golfers unreservedly thanked the Ashanti king himself a golfer for his contributions and unmeasurable assistance to the sports in the country.

Over the years, your continuous assistance has helped to improved the sports in our country and even produced some brilliant golfers notably Vincent Torgah, Kojo Barnni, Augustine Manasseh, Maxwell Owusu Bonsu, Lucky Ayisah etc for which the professional golfing fraternity in Ghana is most grateful.

The statement further mentioned that “Your good work to golf and sport in Ghana is widely recognized globally and PGA Ghana are filled with joy and are graciously extending our appreciation and gratitude to you our King”.  Again, the Professional Golfers Association Ghana will therefore continue to pray for a healthier long life for you to allow you to reign more years on the throne coupled with Godly wisdom.

In conclusion it said” Once again Your Royal Highness we revered and thank you from the bottom of our heart. Long live Asanteman, long live your Kingdom and a further progress for the game of golf in Ghana.

Source PGA

Tafo, the defending champions of the MTN Ashantifest Community Soccer Tournament will begin their title defence this weekend when Zone C kicks off on Friday, 30 June through Saturday 1 July at the State Girls Kokoase Park in Abrepo.

Tafo beat Asokwa 4-1 in last year’s final to become the second winners of the competiton which began in 2021 with Abrepo as maiden winners, face preliminary stage test from Bantama, Suame and the other former champions, the Abrepo hosts of course for two slots available from this section to the last 8.

The defending champions take on Bantama in match 1 of Zone C whereas it’s Suame versus Abrepo in the second game.

Bantama meet Suame in their respective second games, after which Abrepo and Tafo slug it out before all four sides complete their preliminary round fixtures in their respective third games, that is Bantama versus Abrepo and Tafo versus Suame.

The community football gala was introduced in 2021 with only 8 teams by MTN to reward their loyal customers around the Ashanti Region which also serves as an avenue for identifying and nurturing talents.

It increased to 12 teams last year before further expanding this term to include a team from outside Kumasi for the first time, Ejisu, in an unprecedented 16-team competition spanning two months.

Divided into four zones, A, B, C and D, each of which take their turn each weekend in an all-play-all battle to determine two representatives for the next stage, Ejisu and Amakom as well as Dichemso and Ashtown are already through to the last 8 after clinching top two places in Zones A and B respectively.

After Zone C this weekend, Zone D will take their turn July 7-8 when the final two tickets to the money zone are on offer for Adum, Santasi, Kwadaso and Atonsu at the Atonsu Astro Turf Park.

“Ashantifest is back. Ashantifest, as you all know, is our annual regional festival created by MTN, aimed at bringing the brand closer to Asanteman and showing appreciation to you, our cherished customers,” said Charles Osei Akoto, MTN Regional Sales & Distribution, Northern Ghana on behalf of the MTN General Manager during the launch in Kumasi on June 14.

Mr. Akoto said the competition is getting bigger and better. “You are not just playing for yourselves. You are playing for the communities you represent, an embodiment of the hopes and aspirations of your fans and as such, I encourage you all to give it your best shot” he advised the players and team.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The next edition of the GNPC Ghana Fastest Human competition is slated for Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Already, the Tamale and Cape Coast editions which were exciting have gone down and all eyes will be on the Kumasi meet because that is the home of athletics in Ghana.

On the tracks will be the local best sprinters like Sarfo Sarfo Ansah, Edwin Gadayi, Joseph Andoh and Barnabas Aggreh. Who will win the race? It will be hot and fans will have much to cheer about.

There would also be the under 15, under 18 and seniors for both males and females for the future stars.

According to organisers the event will start at 8am and it is for sprinters in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Volta respectively, though athletes from other regions can also take part.

Please support us here by subscribing to our channel youtube.com/@athleticshour3225

GNPC, Adidas, GCB, Pippa's Gym, Moringa King, Wrenco, Indomie and other sponsors will reward all outstanding athletes.

Reks Brobby, an Olympian invented the concept to find Ghana’s best sprinters to take part in international competitions

By Sammy Heywood Okine

2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations: Ghana's wait to qualify for Olympic Games since 2004 continues

Ghana's aspirations to secure a spot in the upcoming Olympic Games have been cruelly shattered as the country's U23 national football team, the Black Meteors, have been eliminated from the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

The Black Meteors concluded their campaign in the group stage, finishing third with a total of 4 points.

The group was dominated by Morocco, who secured the top spot with an impressive tally of 9 points, followed closely by Guinea, who also accumulated 4 points but advanced due to a superior goal difference.

This painful defeat means that Ghana's U23 male national team will now have to wait for the next opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games.

By the time the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are held, it will mark a staggering 20 years since the Black Meteors last participated in this prestigious multisport event.

The last appearance of the Black Meteors in the Olympic Games took place in 2004, during the Athens Games in Greece.

Unfortunately, Ghana failed to progress beyond the group stage on that occasion, securing a disappointing third-place finish behind Paraguay and Italy.

footballghana

Stephen Appiah won the following  tournaments;

☑️ U-17 World Cup - 1995

☑️Turkish Super cup- 2007/2008

☑️ Turkish League Champion - 2006/2007

☑️ Italian Cup winner - 2001/2002

☑️ Italian Super Cup winner - 2003-2004

Stephen Appiah participated in the following tournaments;

☑️ World Cup

☑️ African Cup of Nation

☑️ UEFA Champions league

☑️ UEFA Cup

☑️ Olympics games

☑️U-17 World Cup

☑️U-20 World Cup

☑️ Turkish League

☑️ Italian Serie A

☑️ Italian Cup

☑️Turkish Super Cup

☑️ Italian Super Cup

☑️ Serbian SuperLiga

☑️Ghana premier league

A living Legend

The Christian Atsu Educational Centre has been opened after the completion of the school project.

The school located in Senya Beraku in the Central Region was commissioned at a ceremony which was graced by family, friends and students.

The project was started by the former Newcastle United winger but the player sadly passed before the school was completed.

Following his tragic death during the earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria in February this year, there were concerns over the completion of the school.

However, his former clubs in the Premier League, Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle joined other donors to make sure the player's dream was fulfilled.

Together with the Becky's Foundation, a nine-unit school building was built for orphans in the Senya Beraku district.

Atsu was widely known for his philanthropic work and his passing has indeed left a huge vacuum in the lives of many.

The former Chelsea and Ghana international was laid to rest in March in his hometown in Ada.

ghanasoccernet

Nana Tuffour Okai aka B boy Lyrics, Maxwell Neur Tetteh, Eric Aburam Obiri, Siisi Arthur and Sammy Heywood Okine are the foundation / strategic members of Africa Breaking Academy (ABA) which is affiliated to the Ghana Breaking Federation.

Before any event or program hits the ground, they have to be in charge of general coordination, administration, management, welfare, production, logistics, media (traditional and social), communications, public relations, finance and sponsorship.

Breaking has moved to a new level since it was accepted as an Olympic sport, and will feature prominently for the first time at Paris 2024.

What make Breaking full of fun is that is it both entertainment and sports, and they are opportunities for socio economic ventures in business, tourism and other sectors.

Ghana has been in the forefront with the propagation of the Breaking message and activities.

Africa Breaking Academy has been in the forefront officially and has organised series of workshops, seminars and competitions locally and internationally, inviting performers from France, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso and Gambia.

The concept Breaking is universal and Ghana must involve, like recently moving to Morocco for the Olympic Qualifiers and Tanzania for a workshop.

The Executive Members of Africa Breaking Academy (ABA) held a special meeting to assess their performances and plan for the future.

Breaking has come to stay, as one of the new Olympic sporting disciplines and the leaders in Ghana will certainly promote the sport in schools, especially second circle, tertiary and vibrant communities.

They have organised series of events and want to go higher on both the local and international scene.

Congratulations to B Boy Lyrics and his colleagues.

By Elizabeth Alhassan Gyamfi

Treasurer of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) and boxing ring announcer / keen stakeholder, Mr Mustapha Nettey has said that the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) erred in suspending Mr. Alex Ntiamoah-Aboakye, promoter and CEO of Bosoffice Promotions and therefore must take steps to reinstate his privileges to him as a manager and promoter duly licensed by the regulator and in good standing.

The Ghana Boxing Authority on June 26, 2023 issued a statement suspending Mr. Ntiamoah-Boakye for what they described as a serious offence of misconduct, disrespect and insubordination in connivance with S3 Boxing promotions to stage a boxing event on Sunday May 28, 2023 when the regulator has banned all boxing activities in areas that are affected by the ban on noise making.

The GBA further stated in the letter that the said event was not sanctioned by the regulatory body and venue not approved.

According to Mr. Nettey who also doubles as a ring announcer and was present as the ring announcer of the event that led to the suspension of the CEO of BOSOFFICE Promotions, the event never contravene any of the law of the Ga-State neither did it appear on the day of the event that the regulator has not sanctioned or approved the venue.

“I think that the suspension of Alex is hogwash and must be treated with disdain. The said event which is being used to suspend Mr. Ntiamoah-Boakye had the 2nd Vice President of GBA and the Technical Director Roger Banor and Shadrack Acquah respectively by the sides of the ring judging the fight.”- Mr Nettey said.

“Astute boxing luminary, Mr J.A Annan who was mentioned in the suspension letter was the Clark of Scale and Master Scorecard keeper on the day and all these men are members of the GBA board didn’t they know that the event has not been sanctioned and venue not approved"? – He added.

Mr Ntiamoah-Boakye’s BOSOFFICE Promotions is noted to have promoted all the big fights that has kept Ghana boxing alive. He promoted the famous Braimah Kamoko aka Bukom Banku and Bastie Samir, George Ashie and Robert Quaye. He has announced another big fight with WBO and WBC world youth titles to be annexed between national super bantamweight champion Daniel Gorsh and national bantamweight champion Michael Decardi-Nelson.

“I must say that the decision to suspend Alex Ntiamoah-Boakye is disgraceful and baseless. The GBA must rather retreat and take steps to restore the privileges that he deserves” Mr Nettey concluded.

Mr Nettey disclosed that during the said event which led to the suspension of the promoter, Alhaji Tofik Muritala came to the Seconds-Out gym were the event was going on together with some traditional rulers who consented to the event.

Source Friends of Boxing (FOB)

There is very interesting but sad development for the Open Water swimmers at the ongoing 2023 African Beach Games in Hammamet Tunisia.

A swimmer from Rwanda has never in his life encountered jellyfish in the sea. He was bitten/stung mercilessly and had to be rescued from the water.

He was among six male athletes who could not complete the course and eight female swimmers who also had to be pulled out for the water.

Unfortunately in the women's race, Zaira Akua Forson was also a victim. She was then in seventh position.

Seven out of 10 female swimmers were forced to withdraw from the 5km Open Water Race due to jellyfish attacks. They were attended to by medical team on the scene, and none was in serious danger.

GOC Communications