Young pullers from Wesley Grammar Senior High and Holy Trinity Cathedral were the toast of fans on Saturday as both schools dominated the Accra edition of the HD+ Kids Armwrestling Season II at the Labone Senior High School with over hundreds of kids converging to witness who books a place at the finals of the second season of the HD+ Kids Armwrestling Championship.

It was an amazing show of strength and passion among participants between the ages of 12 to 18 in both male and female categories who were eager to come victorious at the end of the day.

In the men's 60kg, Lovia Junior High School's Leonard Tetteh came first after giving his opponents a tough game in his campaign to win the category.

Charles Cobbinah of Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School and Richmond Aboagye of Wesley Grammer Senior High School having tried their best managed to gain a spot in the top three, finishing second and third respectively in that category.

National Champion, Rachael Lankai who came first in the National Armwrestling Championship female 65kg category, once again gave a mind-blowing performance in the female 60kg after cruising past Mabel Yeboah of Ebenezer Senior High and Sarah Quartey of Wesley Grammar to be crowned champion.

Elsewhere in the men's 70kg, Desmond Mensah of Bishop Mixed School won the top honours with Steven Bennin from Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School (HOTCASS) and Henry Otoo also a student of St Thomas Aquinas grabbing silver and bronze.

The dominance of Wesley Grammar to always find themselves in the top three continued as Gloria Afoagbadzi secured a third place in the female 70kg category, failing to stand Blessed Abeka Nunoo of Osu Salem Senior High School and Nanka Bruce JHS's Evelyn Steven who finished first and second positions respectively.

Tagged as the clash of titans was the men's +70kg category where supporters witnessed a fierce encounter among the pullers as they kept their eyes on the top spot.

At the end of the day, the boys were separated from the men with Nathaniel Adjei of La Presbyterian Secondary School coming first as KATECO's Clement Korto and Francis Kweku Annan from Labone came second and third.

 Ayisha Abdulai of Beacon International JHS also overpowered Eugenia Ntow of HOTCASS and Jasmine Quarshie from Accra High School who finished first and second runners-up in the female +70kg category.

Winners took home cash prizes, medals, certificates, goodies from SES HD+ Ghana, and souvenirs from Twellium Industries, Charcoal Toothpaste from Royal Dach Pharmaceuticals Limited, Afriyie Sanitary products from Wadada Ventures, Swaggers Resto-Pub and K-Balm from Kofikrom Pharmacy.

Speaking in an interview with the media, Mrs Adelaide Ahovy Abbiw-Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the title sponsors, SES HD+ Ghana Limited, commended the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), led by its President, Mr Charles Osei Asibey for maintaining the competitiveness of the championship.

She noted that there were discussions to extend the competition to other regions who had also shown interest in the global sport.

GAF together with SES HD+ after a successful maiden edition of the kids Armwrestling Championship, increased the regions from three to five in its second season to aid others to also participate.

"It's a sport that is for everyone, and it allows you to play Armwrestling anywhere, you just need a flat surface. You don't need to go to a pitch or need any special equipment. I want to urge parents that Armwrestling is a very safe sport, you just need the right technique to apply,” she noted.

This youth development initiative has been powered by the Ghana Armwrestling Federation in partnership with SES HD+ Ghana Limited and supported by the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Youth & Sports, National Sports Authority, 442Media Production, BlynkxliveGH, GNTV Junior, ETV Ghana, and Joy Prime.

The next stop for the HD+ Kids Armwrestling train is the Methodist Girls Senior High School in the Eastern Region on Saturday, June 17.

Source GAF

The Pillow Fight Championship Belt was put in the public space for the first time at the Accra Girls SHS during their Inter Houses Competition last Saturday.

Mr. Emmanuel Olla William, President of the Ghana Pillow Fight Championship and CEO of One On One Foundation as well as Dreamland Sports Plus said it is ideal that the people see the belt and prepare towards winning.

He said there would be a float to display the belt at some places in the regional capitals, and present the national competition after the regional events and promised that winners are going to be rewarded with handsome prizes.

He noted that the young are the strength of the nation, and the schools are going to enjoy most.

“Our target is the youth and so we are doing everything to give them a wonderful competition full of thrills and excitement. We promise that after the schools, the communities will also get their share and we shall all enjoy the sport called Pillow Fighting” he said.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Accra edition of the HD+ Kids Armwrestling Season II competition was held last Saturday at the Labone SHS in the capital.

The event and categories attracted huge patronage sending signals that the sport has become popular among second circle students.

A couple of weeks ago, the National competition came off at Wesley Grammer SHS which allowed the students of the school to feel the sport.

And at Labone it was fantastic as the excitement was massive and the participants and spectators had much to cheer about.

Executives and officials of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation were also glad for a successful event.

The best performers were handed attractive prizes from the sponsors.

The next stop is Methodist Girls SHS in Manfe, Eastern Region on June 17, 2023

Here Are Results From Accra Edition Of The HD+ Kids Armwrestling Season II:

Female 60kg

1. Rachael Lankai - Sacred Hearts Senior High School
2. Mabel Yeboah - Ebenezer Senior High
3. Sarah Quartey - Wesley Grammar

Male 60kg

1. Leonard Tetteh - Lovia Junior High School
2. Charles Cobbinah - Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School
3. Richmond Aboagye - Wesley Grammar

Female 70kg

1. Blessed Abeka Nunoo - Osu Salem Senior High
2. Evelyn Steven - Nanka Bruce JHS
3. Gloria Afoagbadzi - Wesley Grammar

Men 70kg

1. Desmond Mensah - Bishop Mixed School
2. Steven Bennin - HOTCASS
3. Henry Otoo - St Thomas Aquainas SHS

Female +70kg

1. Ayisha Abdulai - Beacon Int. JHS
2. Eugenia Ntow - HOTCASS
3. Jasmine Quarshie - Accra High School

Men +70kg

1. Nathaniel Adjei - La PRESEC
2. Clement Korto - KATECO
3. Francis Kweku Annan – Labone

From Sammy Heywood Okine

New Ghanaian youngster Samuel Amo-Ameyaw made his English Premier League debut for Southampton as the relegated side held Liverpool 2-2 in their league game.

Black Stars Kamaldeen Suleiman registered two goals for the Saints.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town have set sights on Ghana captain Andre Ayew as they plan for their highly anticipated debut season in the top flight after a remarkable 31-year absence.

Club officials have recognised Ayew's wealth of experience and leadership qualities, viewing him as a player who could make a significant impact on their Premier League campaign.

Earlier reports had indicated that Ayew's current club, Nottingham Forest, would not be offering him a new contract following their successful bid to avoid relegation. This news has sparked interest from Luton Town, who are keen to secure the services of the talented Ghanaian forward.

Ayew, who has amassed over 100 appearances in the Premier League since his debut in August 2015 with Swansea City, possesses a proven track record in English football's top tier. With stints at West Ham United and Swansea City, he has demonstrated his ability to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates.

Joining Nottingham Forest earlier this season after his time with Qatari side Al Sadd, Ayew has continued to showcase his skills and experience.

In the ongoing season, he has made 12 appearances for Forest, adding to his impressive tally of 46 appearances with Swansea and 43 appearances with West Ham. The forward has 21 goals.

Luton Town's promotion to the Premier League marks a significant milestone for the club and its passionate supporters. Their interest in signing Ayew reflects their ambition to assemble a competitive squad capable of making an impact in the top flight.

With Ayew weighing his options and carefully considering his next move, Luton Town remain hopeful that they can secure his services and bolster their squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

ghanasoccernet

In a dramatic final day of the Premier League, Daniel Amartey's Leicester City suffered relegation despite a hard-fought win over West Ham United at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes put in a valiant effort, but Everton's crucial victory over Bournemouth ultimately sealed Leicester City's fate.

Leicester City started the match positively, with Harvey Barnes opening the scoring in the 34th minute to give his side a much-needed lead. The home crowd erupted with hope as Leicester pushed for further goals to secure their survival.

Their determination paid off in the 62nd minute when Wout Faes doubled the lead, raising the stakes for a memorable win.

However, West Ham United's Pablo Fornals managed to find a consolation goal 11 minutes before the final whistle, but it wasn't enough to derail Leicester's pursuit of victory.

In a parallel fixture, Everton secured a crucial win over Bournemouth, thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure's 57th-minute goal.

This result proved decisive, as Everton's triumph secured them 17th place in the league table with 36 points, two more than Leicester City. Sadly, this meant that Leicester City would join Leeds United and Southampton in relegation to the Championship for the upcoming season.

Daniel Amartey's relegation with Leicester City adds to the disappointment suffered by other Ghanaian players, Mohammed Salisu and Kamaldeen Sulemana, who experienced relegation with Southampton a few weeks prior.

Meanwhile, Amartey who seems to be out of favour under manager Dean Smith is likely to part ways with the club with Italian Giants AC Milan and Inter Milan both showing interest.

ghanasoccernet.com

Southampton bid farewell to the Premier League with a spirited performance on Sunday, holding Liverpool to a thrilling 4-4 draw, and Kamaldeen Sulemana stole the show by scoring his first goals for the club.

The Ghana international, who arrived at Southampton in January for a record fee, showcased his immense talent at St Mary's, netting twice in an enthralling encounter.

Initially, it appeared that Southampton would end their campaign on a sour note when they fell behind 2-0 within the first 14 minutes, with Liverpool's Jota and Firmino putting the visitors in a comfortable position.

However, the home side showed great resilience, mounting a comeback with goals from James Ward-Prowse and Sulemana. The Ghanaian forward displayed his sharp instincts with a well-taken finish, breaking his scoring drought for Southampton.

Riding the wave of their first-half revival, Southampton completed a remarkable turnaround within three minutes of the second half. Sulemana embarked on a solo run from one end of the pitch to the other, evading any challenges, and expertly curled the ball into the net from the edge of the area, securing his second goal of the match.

Liverpool's defence struggled to provide ample protection for goalkeeper Kelleher, resulting in another defensive lapse that allowed Southampton to extend their lead to 4-2. In a stunning fashion, substitute Adam Armstrong capitalized on a misplaced pass, evaded the defenders, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner just two minutes after entering the game.

This back-and-forth affair, however, had one more twist in store as Liverpool shocked the crowd at St Mary's with two quickfire goals to level the scoreline. Cody Gakpo tapped in a goal to narrow the deficit before Luis Díaz unleashed a powerful strike to bring the Reds back on level terms.

Sulemana, undoubtedly, will relish his outstanding performance, capping off the season on a high note by scoring against a reputable side like Liverpool. His contributions showcased his immense potential and left Southampton fans excited for what the future holds for the talented forward.

ghanasoccernet

Ghanaian forward Joel Fameyeh expressed gratitude to God for his role in helping Rubin Kazan clinch the title in the Russia Football National League.

Following his impressive brace against Dinamo Makhachkala in a 2-0 victory that secured the championship, Fameyeh took to Twitter to share his appreciation, stating, "Champions! God is the GREATEST."

Rubin Kazan's remarkable win established them as clear leaders of the 2022/23 Football National League table, accumulating 68 points with only one game remaining in the season.

The triumph on Saturday confirmed Rubin Kazan as the champions of the Russia second-tier league, marking their successful resurgence to the top flight after being relegated in the previous season.

Throughout the season, 26-year-old Joel Fameyeh played a pivotal role in Rubin Kazan's triumphant campaign, guiding them back to the top flight in their maiden attempt.

The Black Stars forward made 30 appearances, impressively scoring 11 goals, significantly contributing to his team's success.

In the crucial game, Fameyeh showcased his scoring prowess by heading in the opening goal from the center of the box just before halftime.

Continuing his influential performance, he tapped in a goal from the far post eight minutes into the second half, sealing the victory and sparking joyous celebrations as Rubin Kazan claimed the title.

FootballGhana  

Ghana’s Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe was at his riding best at the 2023 Desert Challenge Competition in the USA.

After losing the 50 meters gold, he put in all effort to grab gold in the 100 meters.

He expressed his gratitude to the National Sports Authority (NSA) of Ghana and his club, GoGetDem as well as members of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) and everyone who contributed to his preparation, travelling and success.

“Glory be to God for the greeting he has done again, all is over for me in Desert Challenge this year 2023,100m gold, 400m silver medal, 800m silver medal, I feel so proud of raising the flag of Ghana high in this year Desert Challenge the IPC Sunshine event, once again para-athletes of Ghana was represented, my special thanks go to my host family here in the United States Mr and Mrs John Brown, National Sports Authority(NSA)don't forget National Paralympics committee (NPC)” he said.

Nkegbe is preparing for the African Para Games coming up in Ghana in September, and other international Games.

He believes that everyone can do something if he or she is given the chance or opportunity.

He advised young athletes to be disciplined and take training serious while respecting coaches and elders.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Ofori has won his second trophy in the 2022-23 season with Orlando Pirates after their triumph in the NedBank Cup on Saturday evening.

The Sea Robbers came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune FC in the final of the NedBank Cup at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Former Bafana Bafana forward Sibusiso Vilakazi scored the opening goal of the encounter to put Sekhukhune ahead twelve minutes into the game.

Defender Tapelo Xoki put Pirates on level terms just before the halftime break when he converted a penalty kick.

Zimbabwe international Terrence Dzvukamanja grabbed the winning goal to seal the victory for Pirates to lift the Nedbank Cup deep into additional time.

Ofori wasn't involved in the final as he didn't make the match squad but will get his winners medal.

The Ghana shot-stopper has not played for Pirates since returning from the injury that ruled him out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Before his injury, Ofori played 10 league games for Pirates, where he kept five clean sheets and conceded six goals in the process.

He also made three appearances and kept two clean sheets to help the Soweto giants clinch the MTN 8 trophy, beating AmaZulu FC in the final back in November last year.

Ghanasoccernet