The 2023 Giti Classic Golf tournament has been held successfully at the Celebrity Club at Sakumono in Accra.

Helen Appiah was first with a score of 73 points in the female category with veteran Mona Myers - Lamptey as runner up, while Mike Hurtubiase took the men’s top position with 77 points, Joseph Aphour was second as Mathias Dorfe won the third place in the overall results in the Giti Classic Seniors.

The competition format was singles, regular stroke play competition, playing handicap; full coursehandicap.

The Giti Classic Ladies Result put Pamela Ewoenam Atila on top in the Handicap indexes. She was followed by Li Ping Wang and Catherine Fabbi in second and third in Group A.

Group B was led by Henrietta Thanki followed by Jacinta Bay and Hajia Zanaibu Sulemana. Aggregate Result of the competition played on Tuesday and Wednesday put Ezekiel Afisco ahead over Nicholas Appiah and Enoch Akabuudi and many others.

In the Full Net Results, Christopher Mbi led the Giti Classic 2023 Scratch Group.

Yin Di was first in the Men’s Group A, with Kingsley Afful and Justice Intsiful

The winner for Men’s Group B was Hai Yu Yu followed by Kester G. Okundaye and Prosper Sellassie Alor in a field of over 70 golfers.

The five day golf event which started from Tuesday to Saturday saw regular professionals like Augustine Menasseh, Vincent Torgah, Kojo Barni, LA Ayisah and John Mawuli Nyarko in the top five.

In the Amateurs, Ezekiel Afisco led with fewer points against Nicholas Appiah and Enoch Akaabudi.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The past fortnight and this weekend has been a period of fireworks for Ghanaian Table Tennis Grandmaster and Six times Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards Winner Derek Abrefa as he made Ghana proud on the international scene.

Over weekend, last Saturday in the Wilmont Cup finals of finals (National level), Abrefa who was amongst the best four selected players to represent London Middlesex at the regional level earlier this year clinched a bronze medal with his Club at the Draycott Table Tennis Centre,

The Ping Pong Ace, Abrefa expressed in an exclusive interview with Yours Truly his utmost gratitude to God Almighty for bringing him this far. He further thanked the Ghana Immigration Service, especially the director of Sports DSI Anita Edikan Wiredu-Minta, the President of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu and his executives, his coach Ebenezer Anang-Whyte of Ladadekotopong, Pro Managers Charles Essel and Nii Nai of La Dadekotopong TT Club for their great support since he started his Europe Tour.

According to Abrefa, the training tour is part of his early preparation ahead of the 13th African Games which will be hosted in Accra, Ghana next year.

'I am happy with my current progress and I'm confident that with my current performance and that of my national team mates, Table tennis will win a lot of medals for Ghana come 2024” he expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Inter Milan Women's Tabitha Chawinga

Inter Milan Women's Tabitha Chawinga scored 23 goals in this season's Serie A Femminile

Victor Osimhen's goals with title-winning Napoli caught the attention of football fans around the world, but very little has been heard about Africa's other golden boot winner in Italy.

While Nigeria forward Osimhen scored 31 goals, Tabitha Chawinga netted 23 times as Inter Milan Women reached this season's play-offs in Serie A Femminile.

The African double is a first - something that acted as inspiration for the 27-year-old Malawi striker.

"My goal is to achieve for African people," said Chawinga.

"I need to play for the girls in Africa. They need to see there are women in this world that can play football like men.

"Asisat Oshoala (of Nigeria) in Barcelona is also doing a great job, but there is not a lot of media talking about this.

"I believe in the future people will talk about women's football in the same way they do for men."

The Malawi captain, who is on a season-long loan from Chinese club Wuhan Jianghan University, scored 16 times for the Nerazzurri during the regular season.

A third-place league finish earned a spot in the play-offs featuring the top five sides, with Roma eventually securing the title.

Chawinga, who started her European top-flight career in Sweden, scored a further seven goals in those play-offs, including a hat-trick against Fiorentina.

"The dream is to win the golden boot, of course," she admitted.

"But I focus on how I do on the pitch with my team-mates. The other players are playing well and score goals too.

"I won the golden boot in Sweden and in China, but if I focus on the golden boot it makes me a selfish player."

Victor Osimhen's goals helped Napoli claim their first Serie A title in 33 years

Putting Africa 'on the map'

Osimhen's goals helped Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years while he also surpassed 1995 Ballon d'Or winner George Weah of Liberia as the highest all-time African scorer in the league's history.

Chawinga is unperturbed about the fact that her success has drawn less attention.

"It does not bother me because women's football is on a journey and it will be a while before it can be talked about on the same level as the men's game," she told BBC Sport Africa.

"Victor put Africa on the map, he put Nigeria on the map. He's an ambassador of Africa like me.

"Everybody is talking about him, everyone is talking about Africa. I am really proud of him. He is a great man, he has done a great job.

"This golden boot is not only for Tabitha, it's for the whole of Africa. I think for Victor as well it is for Africa.

"I am from Africa, I love Africa, I was born in Africa and grew up there. I'm very proud with what I'm doing here to represent Africa."

Chawinga hopes Serie A's new golden couple will inspire more European clubs to search Africa for talent, particularly when it comes to female players.

This, she believes, will continue the development of football on the continent.

"I am very proud to be providing that proof of what Africa can do," she continued.

"In the past, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o did a great job. Many clubs in Europe like looking in Africa for the best players. It means we have good talent but not good sponsors.

"People ask: 'Malawi, where is that? Are there more players there? In Africa, do you know some other players that are the best?'

"It's time for people responsible for the administration of football to wake up and do better. Football in Africa may go on to be the best football in the whole world.

"Players from Europe are never thinking about going anywhere and people only go to Europe because here they have everything for football.

"We need that in Africa as soon as possible and everything will be okay. This will be very important."

'Everyone connected to Napoli makes me fly' - Osimhen

Chawinga insists she will work hard whether she returns to Wuhan or moves elsewhere.

"As of now, I'm on loan. I still have a contract with Wuhan," she said.

"In China they are starting to build, it has a big future. They like to buy players from Europe and Africa.

"It is for myself, my agent and Wuhan to discuss. Inter maybe will buy me, but I respect Wuhan and the rules of Fifa so, as of now, I will go back."

Just like Osimhen, Chawinga is unlikely to be short of suitors should she decide her future lies among the elite of European football.

By Peter Musembi and Kevin Hand

BBC Sport Africa

Claressa Shields faces off with Maricela Cornejo

Claressa Shields (left) is undefeated in 13 fights

Claressa Shields says her fight with Maricela Cornejo will be a "throw-down in Motown" in Detroit on Saturday.

Shields, 28, defends her WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA middleweight titles and her undefeated record against her fellow American at the Little Ceasars Arena.

Detroit is home to the famous Motown recording studios.

"I know she [Cornejo] said she wants to go out there and dance, but you're going to be dancing by yourself because I came to fight," said Shields.

"It's going be a real throw-down in Motown."

Cornejo, 36, has 16 wins and five defeats on her record and stepped in on a week's notice to fight Shields.

She is a big underdog against the undisputed champion, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest of her generation, if not the best female boxer of all time.

'Misunderstood Shields does not get enough credit' - Rankin column

Welterweight McKinson ready for 'big fight' opportunity

"I'm going to go put some money on myself. I knew I'd be the underdog," Cornejo said.

"I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is the perfect time for me to take this fight. Some might think that it's short notice, but I'm in tip-top shape."

Shields was scheduled to face Hanna Gabriels, but the Costa Rican was removed from the bout after failing a drug test.

"I'm facing a younger, taller and more savvy opponent in Maricela Cornejo than I was in Hanna Gabriels," Shields said. "But I came to throw down and show my skills.

"Boxing is changing. To be having this fight in front of thousands of fans in Detroit, with the GWOAT [Greatest Woman of All Time], in the main event, we don't get too many of these opportunities."

BBC Sport

Ghana’s Billie Jean King Cup coach Richard Ayi Dartey, announce the squad to represent Ghana at the 2023 Billie King Cup in Nairobi Kenya.

The 2023 marks the 60th edition of the International Women’s tennis team’s tournament.

The Europe/ Africa Zone three group scheduled from the 10th to 17th June 2023 at the Nairobi club, Kenya.

The event will bring together 11 countries and will be split into two pools in a bid to give a chance to the African teams playing in the later rounds.

The teams coming to Nairobi include Tunisia, Morocco, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Burundi, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Uganda and  Seychelles.

Coach Richard Ayi Dartey has selected UK based Elizabeth Kapari Bagerbaseh and three local based players Sisu Tomegah, Annette Cruicshank and Yvonne Bruce Tagoe

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh

The Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ghana and Blackdery will organize a special Road Race to mark the World Bicycle Day on Saturday June 3.

According to General Secretary, Mr. Shaaban Mohammed, many cycling clubs and cyclists have been invited to take part in the Race which starts at the Silver Tower at Airport City to the Accra Sports Stadium and continue to the Spintex Palace Mall and ends at the Silver Tower.

He said the objective of the event and celebration is to provide the gift of light to school children in Mobia Sekyere Kumawu.

He emphasized the need for electricity to boast education and development in the area.

Rates for registration are 60ghc for a person, and 150ghc for a family of four. The Race begins at 7am sharp, and all cyclists are advised to be punctual.

Other partners and sponsors supporting the GCF are Empower Playgrounds Inc, Blackdery, Jibu and Silver Star Tower Limited.

Mr. Mohammed who is Director of Operations at the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) said cycling has been in the news and the momentum must be maintained. He noted that the event forms part of publicity for Ghanaian cyclists as they prepare for the World Cycling Championship in Glasgow, Scotland in August.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

… Akwasi Frimpong  Inspires Millions with Over 2.5 Million Views

Ghana's Akwasi Frimpong has become a household name in the world of sports, thanks to his incredible journey to becoming the country's first skeleton Olympian. Frimpong's 2018 Olympic appearance was nothing short of inspiring, as he showcased grit, determination, and motivation that left the world in awe.

Recently, the Olympic Museum in Switzerland shared Frimpong's Olympic debut video on their social media platforms, and it has since gone viral, receiving over 2.5 million views. The video highlights Frimpong's incredible journey to becoming the first black male skeleton Olympian, a feat that has earned him worldwide recognition and admiration.

Frimpong's story is one of resilience and perseverance. Born in Ghana, he moved to the Netherlands at the age of eight, where he discovered his love for sports. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial constraints and injuries, Frimpong never gave up on his dream of becoming an Olympian.

After finishing 30th at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Akwasi Frimpong has made giant strides forward in the sport of skeleton. In 2020, he became the first African to win an elite skeleton race, and in 2022, he earned a bronze medal for Ghana. Frimpong also made history by becoming the first African to earn a top 6 podium finish at a winter sport World Championships event, placing 4th at the IBSF World Push Championships in 2022. His remarkable achievements are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.

Frimpong's journey has inspired millions of people around the world, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds who aspire to achieve greatness. His story is a testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible.

As we celebrate Frimpong's incredible achievements, let us also remember that his story is a reminder that we can all achieve greatness if we believe in ourselves and never give up on our dreams.

Frimpong's story of relentless pursuit of his dreams has captured the attention of many, and it has now been turned into a short film and a comic book by Swiss sportswear brand, On Running. The film, titled "Black Ice," tells the story of Frimpong's journey to becoming Ghana's first skeleton Olympian, highlighting the challenges he faced and the determination that kept him going.

The comic book, also titled "Black Ice," is a graphic novel that tells Frimpong's story in a unique and engaging way. It features stunning illustrations and captures the essence of Frimpong's journey, inspiring readers to pursue their dreams no matter the obstacles.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Two Ghanaian athletes, Amed Sama (-74Kg) and Henrietta Armah (-49Kg) are representing the Ghana Taekwondo Federation at the 2023 World Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan

News reaching Yours Truly state that Henrietta lost her R32 fight to Hong Kong's Lam Sui Wai 20-19 on Wednesday, May 31.

She however won the first round 8-0, tied on points 8-8 in the second but lost it due to head points gained by her opponent, then lost 4-11 in the 3 round.

Amed Sama will come up against Assis Matos Vinicius from Brazil on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in the R32 stage.

The two were sponsored by the Ghana Taekwondo Federation President & Vice, Frederick Otu Lartey and Charles Cromwell.

Their participation is part of preparations towards the African Games that has been shifted to 2024 in Accra.

The Federation knocked on the doors of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority but got no aid.

This among other championships was presented to the Games Committee in a 4 years development plan by the GTF in 2020.

GTF Communications

The finals of the second edition of the prestigious Giti Classic Golf Championship have been fixed for the Celebrity Golf Course at Sakumono in the Greater Accra Region on Saturday June 3, 2023.

The event started on Tuesday, March 30^th with over two hundred and fifty golfers competing in the exciting competition.

The championship has two categories; namely the professional event with hundred and fifty amateur golfers competing for trophies on June 3^rd, which will be played under the rules of the R & A, St Andrews and the local rules of Celebrity Golf Club.

Top golfers from Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, Togo and the Ivory Coast are expected to participate.

The competition is organised by Wonders Rising Stars Golf Academy with Giti Tyres Global Trading PTE Limited manufacturers of GT Radial tyres in Ghana as the main sponsors. Alphabetic City Home is supporting the golf championship with a special hole in one prize.

General Manager of Giti Tyres Wang Shu stressed on the importance of sponsoring the golf competition as part of their social responsibility in building corporate environment for business and sports. Following a successful first edition of the competition,

Mr. Shu said his company finds the game of golf as a vital tool in improving their relationship with many especially the business community. He therefore called on golfers both amateurs and professionals to prepare adequately well for the forth- coming second Giti classic golf championship and hope that the best will excel. 

He noted that attractive prizes including cash, trophies and products from Giti Tyres and others supporting firms will be presented to winners.

The director of Rising Stars Golf Academy, John Mawuli Nyarko has also revealed that they will ensure a successful organization of the tournament and noted that on and off the course arrangement are being planned to make things very comfortable for golfers and patrons of the game during the tournament.

Mawuli Nyarko who is a professional golfer said some distinguished guests will grace the closing ceremony of the second GITI Classic Golf tournament.

The guests include the chairman of Giti, Tang Hang, the General Manager of Giti Tyres, Wang Shu, some top gurus from Giti Tyres, a high power delegation from the Chinese community in Ghana.

Captain of the Celebrity Golf Club Theodore Asampong, Lady Captain, Catherine Fabbi, president of the Ghana Golf Association Leonard Kwaku Okyere, PGA Ghana President, Mark Cofie Jnr among other personalities expected to be at the venue.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ace amazing young boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jr. got a chance to meet with the President of St. Francis University Arvid Johnson to thank him for the Full Ride Scholarship.

He has showed appreciation to everyone who has contributed to his sports and education.

He is aspiring to become a world champion.

By Sammy Heywood Okine