Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye, President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has called on the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to consider rating Isaac Dogboe and Alfred Lamptey in their ratiungs.

He made the statement for the two Ghanaian boxers at the 38th Convention held in Chicago, USA.

The bold Neequaye said at the Convention that former WBO super bantamweight champion, Isaac Dogboe, and rising star Alfred Lamptey aka ‘ShowTime’ should be considered in the ratings of the IBF.

Mr. Abraham Neequaye thinks the two boxers have done enough to be rated and should be given opportunity by the IBF as Ghanaian boxers are capable of giving boxing fans good fights.

Alfred Lamptey held the IBF Africa title and I want to appeal to the board to consider him for the ratings, while Dogboe was in the ratings but dropped even before his last bout for the WBO Featherweight title fight.

Dogboe who hosted the media before moving back to the USA has assured his fans of a big comeback, while the undefeated Lamptey who is managed by Mr. Alex Ntiamoah Boakye and foreign partners is itching to get a world title opportunity.

Ghanaian promotions outfit, Ace Power Boxing Promotions was represented at the Convention by their GM, Mr. Isaac Amankwah.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana defeated Nigeria by four runs to three runs in a wheelchair softball friendly match played at the National Stadium, Lagos, at the weekend. The friendly match held on Saturday was organized by the Nigeria Wheelchair Softball Association, an affiliate of the Paralympics Committee of Nigeria.

The five innings friendly match, in which the Nigerian team started off strongly, saw the Ghanaian team coming from three runs down to outclass their hosts.

At the end of the match, Samuel Babin and Bah Frimpong of Ghana won the best batter and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards respectively, while Lateef Jimoh and Razaq Bankole of Nigeria won the best pitcher and best fielder awards respectively.

Speaking on the game, president, Ghana Wheelchair Softball Federation, Mr. Osei Mensah, expressed delight at the victory of his team, while also commending the improvement in the performance of the Nigerian side.

He described the friendly game as a training path for the Ghanaian team to prepare ahead of the World Cup Series coming up in the United States in August 2023, which Ghana is participating.

Mensah expressed hope that Africa Wheelchair Softball would one day have more countries participating at the international level, while urging other countries to embrace the sport.

He commended the Ghanaian government’s support to the sport and the entire team, saying that the government and relevant agencies have been supporting the development of the game.

On his part, Nigeria Wheelchair Softball Association President, Mr. Odior Sunday, said, while wheelchair softball first started in Nigeria in the whole of Africa, lack of support, sponsorship and funding have made distorted its growth.

According to Sunday, with over 20 million people living with disability in Nigeria, para-sports have received less or no attention from government, corporate and individual sponsorship, unlike other countries where the sport gets full support. He blamed inadequate equipment for the slow growth of the Nigerian team, saying that each wheelchair costs between $4,000 and $15,000.

The Ghanaian team’s wheelchairs are all of international standard, he said, lamenting that the Nigerian team had to source for wheelchairs from other sports, which affected their throws and batting in the friendly match.

“All over the world, especially the U.S. Paralympic Committee, most of their para-sports events are sponsored by churches, financial institutions and companies, among others. We want financial institutions, corporate organizations and individuals, as well as wealthy people to come and support this wheelchair softball sport,” he said.

Sunday believes that if well supported, para-sports will take the over 20 million people living with disability off the streets.

By Tony Bebli

Paris is on time and on budget for the 2024 Olympics, the city’s mayor said on Tuesday, dismissing concern expressed recently by a senior Olympics official.

“Look at all the previous Olympics and Paralympics around the world, one year before the Games, generally it’s stressful and people are saying ‘we’ll never manage this’. Well, we’re ready,” Mayor Anne Hidalgo told the France Inter radio station on Tuesday.

“We’re on budget and we’re on time.”

During a visit to Paris on Monday, International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who is responsible for monitoring the Paris Games, voiced concern about the work needed to balance the budget.

French authorities chipped in another 111 million euros ($119 million) last December to take into account inflation, taking the overall budget to 4.48 billion euros.

Delays in signing major sponsorship deals, including with French luxury goods giant LVMH, has also left a major question mark about the finances of the event.

“There is still plenty of work to do,” Beckers told reporters

France Inter radio

G4S one of the leading security companies in Ghana has joined the list of sponsors for the second edition of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon fixed for Saturday, July 29.

Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon is an initiative of Medivents Consult and endorsed by the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) and supported by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

As part of their support G4S, would provide the orgaisers with men to compliment the security arrangements for the race, as well provide cash support to some of the outstanding athletes on the day.

Mr. Michael Gyapah – Managing Director of G4S commended the organisers for the initiative and urged them to work harder to ensure a successful event.

He said G4S was proud to be associated with the race that seeks to create a platform for the youth to exhibit their talents as well as adults who wants to keep fit and remained healthy.

“Keeping fit and healthy are essential for life and we are pleased that the race would provide participants the platform to achieve this and also win some attractive prizes at the end of the day.

“With the level of organisation so far, we have no doubt that, the race would soon become of the best in Ghana and the sub-region. We want to see as many people as possible running on the day,” he added.

Mr. Henri Senyo Penni General Manager of Medivents Consult, organisers of the event expressed appreciation to the company for their support.

He said the marathon was opened to all adding that professional athletes, race lovers, and all those in health and fitness are invited to participate.

“We want to ensure mass participation, hence the decision to introduce 5- Kilometres and 10-Kilometres in addition to the traditional 21-Kilometres,” he noted.

The Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon would start at the Accra Sports Stadium and end at the Mantse Agbona, James Town.

Over 1000 athletes are expected to participate in the race, which is in its second year.

Among the sponsors of the race are; Serene Insurance, Allied Consortiums, HD Plus, mybet.Africa.com, Aqua Blue Mineral Water, Zimansky Hotel, Rek Foli Herbals and TXT Ghana.

Source AICM

At the last edition of the Africa Armwrestling Championship Team Ghana placed third with a total of 45 medals while Egypt were winners of the competition.

There had been developments by the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) in the just-ended National Armwrestling Championship, which was a preparation towards the!2th African Armwrestling Championship slated for 22nd and 23rd June, 2023.

DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Head of Security and Public Relations of the LOC said they had been working so hard to make ‘Accra 2023’ one of the best events the continent had seen in recent years.

She noted that facilities had been made available to welcome the various countries who would be participating in the championship.

“We are ready to host the rest of Africa in Accra as we did in 2018. So we entreat everyone to rally behind Ghana as we host the rest of Africa,” she urged.

She also made a passionate appeal to corporate Ghana for support in both cash and kind.

The Local Organisation for the 12th edition of the Africa Armwrestling Championship has disclosed that at least 20 countries will participate in the continental experience.

DCOP Donkor told the media they had made adequate preparations towards hosting this year’s Africa Armwrestling Championship,

She said they are expecting over 300 pullers and officials from other countries who would battle for the ultimate prize at the GNAT Hall in Accra.

Central Africa Republic, Congo Republic, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Somalia would be debutants at the championship as they hope to showcase their strength to sweep away laurels as first-timers.

Other countries hoping to pull and win are Mali, Egypt, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Togo, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Benin, Guinea, Nigeria, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, and host country Ghana.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

WKU Ghana is hosting the first ever African Open Martial Arts and Combat Sports competition which comes up in Tema, Accra Ghana on Friday July 14 and Saturday July 15 at the Korean Sports Complex, Tema, Community 3.

According to Steavano Tuekpe, the main organizer, the international competition has attracted other top fighters from other African countries who are coming to challenge in Point Fighting, Taekwondo, Judo, Karate Do K1 Four Men Tournament and MMA Four Men Tournament

Steavano Tuekpe who is President of WKU Ghana said this is a great opportunity for Ghana to host the event and hoped most of the clubs and Federations are going to contribute.

The German based top kick boxer said as Ghana prepares to host the 13th African Games, the athletes must train hard and involved in battles to feel the sport and market the nation.

The ICBO World Champion adviced fighters to exhibit discipline, character, attitude, branding, real skills and techniques to excite fans and officials.

He noted experts in Martial Arts from the WKU Europe will be in Ghana to promote the sports and fantastic medals and prizes would be awarded to outstanding performers.

Secretary General of Ghana Kickboxing and Judo Associations, John Kennedy Koranteng believes there are experienced and new stars who are going to feature on the programme.

He called on corporate Ghana to support the first WKU African Open.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian teen Ernest Nuamah crowns sensational season with Young Player of the Year award in Denmark     

Ghanaian youngster Ernest Nuamah completed the Danish Superliga with his third accolade of the season after being named the Young Player of the Year.

The 19-year-old had already scooped the Best Player for Spring (voted by coaches) and the Player of the Season (voted by players) awards.

The award was presented to the forward by former Nordsjaelland star, who currently plays for Brentford Mathias Jensen.

Nuamah helped FC Nordsjaelland finished second in the just ended season, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists.

His outstanding performances has earned him his first Black Stars invite. Nuamah is expected to make his debut when the team faces Madagascar in Antananarivo on June 18.

The Right to Dream Academy graduate will also join the Black Meteors for the 2023 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Morocco later this month.

Meanwhile, reports in France reveal the talented winger is on the radar of giants Olympique Marseille.

The budding forward enjoyed his first full campaign in the just ended season after moving from the Right to Dream Academy to Denmark.

ghanasoccernet

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will take over four of the leading football clubs in the country.

The news followed an announcement earlier in the day from Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, about the launch of an investment and privatisation project in the Kingdom.

The project aligns with the ambitious objectives of Saudi sports within Vision 2030, emphasising the development of an efficient sports sector by encouraging and enabling the private sector to contribute to the industry’s growth.

PIF will own 75 per cent of each club and will establish not-for-profit foundations for each side and will select board members for the four sides.

In a statement on Twitter, PIF said: “As part of today’s announcement of the Sport Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project, four Saudi clubs – Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal – have been transformed into companies, each of which is owned by PIF and non-profit foundations for each club.

“PIF’s ownership in the clubs’ companies represent 75 per cent in each club, while their respective non-profit foundations hold 25 per cent ownership of each club.

“The transfer of the four clubs will unleash various commercial opportunities, including investment, partnership and sponsorships across numerous sports.”

As part of today’s announcement of the Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project, four Saudi clubs – Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Hilal – have been transformed into companies, each of which is owned by #PIF and non-profit foundations for each club. pic.twitter.com/TNZcbIniUE

— Public Investment Fund (@PIF_en) June 5, 2023

PIF owns 80 per cent of English Premier League side Newcastle United.

The new ownership structure places the Saudi sovereign wealth fund atop an impressive roster of players, not the least Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saudi clubs have been heavily linked with a summer of transfer activities.

Karim Benzema, formerly of Real Madrid, has been rumoured to be on the verge of signing for Saudi Pro League champions Real Madrid.

Al Hilal, on the other hand, have been repeatedly linked with a move for World champion Argentina Champion Lionel Messi.

Saudi Arabia’s Sport Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project has three strategic objectives:

Fostering investment opportunities and an appealing investment environment in the sports sector

Boosting professionalism Governance, and financial sustainability in sports clubs; and enhancing clubs’ competitiveness and infrastructure

The Saudi Pro League, which has players from more than 40 different countries and has seen attendances increase by nearly 150 per cent in the past year, will be supported in its ambition to be amongst the top ten leagues in the world.

Furthermore, the project aspires to raise the league’s commercial revenues from SR450m ($120m) riyals in 2022 to more than SR1.8b ($480m) annually, while generating private-sector investment opportunities and increasing the market value of the Roshn Saudi League from SR3bn ($800m) to more than SR8bn ($2.1bn) by 2030.

www.arabianbusiness.com

Chairman of the Black Meteors management committee, Frederick Acheampong has confirmed that Kudus Mohammed is not eligible to play at the 2023 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana have been housed in Group A alongside host, Morocco, Guinea and Congo.

Acheampong acknowledged that the presence of some of the stars would be very crucial and help bolster their chances in the tournament that would see the finalist and winning semi-finalist teams qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Speaking to Graphic Sports, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ernest Nuamah who are among the players currently with the Black Stars would be needed at the U-23 side and added that they intended to work and ensure the Black Meteors secured their services.

But he, however, added that Kudus Mohammed is not eligible to feature in the tournament.

“Kudus Mohammed is not eligible because he was born in the year 2000 but there are other players in the Black Stars like Kamaldeen and Nuamah who would be needed in the Black Meteors," he stated.

The tournament is scheduled to start on June 25 to July 8.

Source Graphic Sports

President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

FLORENCE, June 5, 2023 - Cheering crowds, emotional athletes and a new World Record holder in tears! What happened in Florence last Friday was not only a commercial for athletics – it was much more like a night in the movies. Full of joy, tension and entertainment – exactly what World Athletics president Sebastian Coe wishes for all Track and Field events.

On Friday, the Asics Firenze Marathon Stadium “Luigi Ridolfi” in Florence was sold out. The best athletes in the world came to compete at the Pietro Mennea Golden Gala. One of the spectators was Sebastian Coe - former World Record holder over 800 and 1500 metres. To bring together a huge crowd like this is a good sign for the sport. Coe says the biggest challenge for athletics is to fit in with livestyles: “Our viewing numbers are rising. But we need to do everything we possibly can to encourage new, fresh and young audiences and spectators into our sports.”

Sebastian Coe: “Athletics is for entertainment”

One innovation is the World Ranking lists. They were introduced before the Olympic Games in Tokyo. “I think it is an important marketing tool. Until we had the rankings, we really weren‘t able to say at any point in the season who is number 1, who is number 2, who is number 3.” In Tennis, everybody knows who the number one in the world is. Coe wants to achieve that for Athletics too. For him, the World Ranking Lists are one of the tools for the new spectators to be able to understand who the athletes are. From Coe’s point of view, athletics is more entertaining when people know that the world Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are competing against each other.

Athletics has to fit into lifestyles

The World Ranking is just the beginning. The World Athletics President wants to innovate athletics. That’s why the programmes for competitions are speeding up right now, as you can see in Florence. The main programme was only two hours. Prime Time from 8pm to 10pm. Like a movie. “We’ve got to understand we are fitting in with lifestyles. We are fitting in the time you have available to watch sports.” Coe has pointed out that athletics not only competes with other sports like football, swimming or gymnastics who might be currently more famous. It competes with entertainment, time commitment and careers. “So we have to make sure that sports fit into the lifestyle of young people as well,” Coe said.

The newest innovation are the lights

The newest innovation are the lights that are running in front of the athletes during a race. While the race is going, you can see if the runners are on their way to set a new record. Everything that makes athletics easier to understand is good for the sport, might be the attitude of World Athletics and its president Sebastian Coe.

It seems like there is more to come.

Katrin Schmidt - AIPS Young Reporter – Germany