The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) President, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, Vice Chairman of Promotions, Michael Tetteh and Deputy Communications Director, Eyram Dady are in Tulsa, Oklahoma monitoring and observing the training of Dogbie.

They are also providing him with prayers and moral support before, during and after his fight on April 1, 2023.

The GBA has sent goodwill wish to Isaac Dogboe, “The Royal Storm” who is the current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Featherweight champion against Robeisy Ramirez on Saturday April 1st,2023 at the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA for the WBO featherweight world title. 

The former WBO Super Batamweight Champion has official record of 26 fights,2 loses,24 wins with 15 knockouts is looking forward of becoming a two time world champion against the Cuban opponent, Robeisy Ramiirez also with an official record of 12 fights,1 loss,11 wins with 7 by way of knockouts.

The GBA has been monitoring Dogboe’s training regime and has no doubt in his ability to become a two-time world champion against a Cuban and southpaw boxer, Ramirez.

The GBA President,Abraham Kotei Neequaye, who is currently in the United States of America for the fight is highly optimistic of a sound victory  for Dogboe and on  behalf of the entire GBA  Executive Board Members, the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union, members of the boxing Fraternity and all well-Wishers in Ghana and beyond wishes Isaac Dogboe the very best of luck underpinned by intelligence, wisdom and creativity in the ring.

The GBA encourage all Ghanaians especially the Boxing fraternity to remember Isaac Dogboe in their prayers to help him triumph in the ring on Saturday.

“Isaac "The Royal Storm" Dogboe, we know you will fight tirelessly for mother Ghana and lift our flag very high. We believe in your ability and capability to reposition yourself at your current comfortable weight at the featherweight division. You are the best” said the Communications Director of the GBA.

Also in the USA bringing exclusive news and interviews is Nat Attoh of Joy Sports fame.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

General Secretary of the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF), Alhaji Shaaban Mohammed has admonished the media to give much positive publicity to their events and programmes.

Interacting with sports journalists at the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Secretariat, he said the World Cycling Championship is coming up in Glasgow Scotland from August 3rd to 13th, 2023, and urged the media to promote the international event which Ghana will be taking part.

According to Mohammed, the Federation has some immediate events like the Aboakye Festival 2023 Championship as well as the 2023 Tour du Ghana in October.

He noted that cycling is a big sport so Ghanaians must hear, see and know more about what is trending and happening in the sport.

The Operations Manager of the GOC commended the journalists who covered the recent 19 African Road Cycling Championship which attracted many African countries to Olebu, a suburb of Accra where the event was held.

Eritrean cyclist, Henok Mulueberhan, took the gold medal in the 120km Road battle over 11 laps.

Hamza Yacine of Algeria came second with Moroccan Achraf El Dugmy placing third out of 84 riders.

The Confederation of African Cycling and Paracycling Championship took place at various itineraries in Ghana including Olebu, Ablekuma and Pokuase.

The likes of hosts Ghana, Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa, and Nigeria are among 20 countries that were represented at the cycling event.

Ghana won six medals in the 2023 Para-Cycling Championship, comprising two gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals, at the end of the competition.

The sports journalists who attended the meeting were from radio, TV, online (including bloggers) and print organisations.

Mr. Ken Kofi Kalai - Team Manager / Ag President of Para Cycling tasked the media to specialize in cycling events and also publish profiles of the cyclists.

Present were Communications Director of the GCF, Dennis Moore, Technical Director Daniel Amoo and Deputy Secretary Mr. Joseph K. Addo.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The novelty ‘Legendary Impact Awards 2023’ has been launched in Cantonments, Accra at the Susana Lodge by Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) on Thursday, March 30.

He remarked that sports heroes and legends should be celebrated and honoured while they are alive.

Mr. Fianoo who chaired the Press Launch noted that the Legendary Impact Awards has not come to add up to the numbers, but it is unique for looking out for sportsmen and women who have given back to society.

“The Awards Scheme goes beyond the field, because we are looking for footballers or sports personalities who have touched lives.

“It is to encourage our stars to be responsible and philanthropic, show humanitarian character” he stressed.

He named the categories as Health, Education, Economic Empowerment, Human Rights, Inspirational Figure, Sports Development, Sports Organisation / Company of the Year, Sports Journalist of the Year and Humanitarian Ambassador.

He commended the media for supporting sports events and programmes, as a media man himself, Mr. Fianoo, former CEO of AshantiGold who has served in many capacities in football  saluted and encouraged sports journalists to work harder and involve in the Awards.

Mr. Mark Addo, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who presented the keynote address defined Philanthropism, the impact in lives of others and benefits of giving back to society when you have more.

“Ghanaian are generous by culture, so people know how to give, however  these charitable personalities must be recognized and honoured.

Those who contribute to health, education, gender balance, peace and justice, socio economic development, promoted literacy and education must be inspired.” He added.

According to the GFA Veep, football has changed the lives of many people and they must impact the society as the United Nations Sustainability Goals suggest, because football unites people, and provides equal opportunities for boys and girls.

He named some footballers who have been in the news notably the late Christian Atsu who bailed prison inmates and an orphanage (Arms around the child project), other stars who have contributed to socio economic development include Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Michael Essien and Tariq Lamptey, among others.

The CEO of 1Ghana Productions, events organisers Mr. Yakub Alfa Suleiman named the board of governors as Chief Alhaji Alhassan Andani, Mr. Kudloe Fianoo, Dr. Gifty Oware-Mensah, Mr. Sannie Daraa and Shiekh Tophic Seinu.

He expressed that they are a young but vibrant company who want to make an impact, and urged corporate Ghana to keep on investing in sports, as the best is yet to come.

Sheikh Tophic Seniu, editor of Footballmadeinghana and a member of the GFA Communications Team told Yours Truly the maiden Awards Dinner will come off in June this year.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Herve Renard has been confirmed as the new France women's head coach until 2024 following his resignation from Saudi Arabia's men's team.

The Frenchman replaces Corinne Diacre, sacked on 9 March after several players said they would no longer represent the country under her leadership.

Renard, 54, requested his contract with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) be terminated on Tuesday.

The Women's World Cup will take place from 20 July to 20 August.

Renard has won the Africa Cup of Nations as head coach with both Zambia and Ivory Coast, becoming the first person to lead different countries to the AFCON title.

He took charge of Saudi Arabia in July 2019 and guided them to their second successive World Cup finals, where they shocked eventual champions Argentina in a 2-1 win in Qatar last year.

Renard has never managed a women's team and takes charge of a France side ranked fifth in the world.

They are seeking to win their first World Cup this summer and the French Football Federation (FFF) will now hope for a return of the players who boycotted the national team under Diacre.

France captain Wendie Renard said last month she will not play at the World Cup and criticised her country's football "system".

The Lyon centre-back was joined in doing so by team-mates Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, with forward Diani saying the management of the team was the reason behind her decision.

In announcing Diacre's exit, the FFF said the situation had become "irreversible".

SAFF president Yasser Al-Misehal confirmed earlier this week: "[Renard] has an offer from the French Federation and expressed his desire to take this opportunity.

"We were informed four days before the current international window and I received a letter from the French Federation, and consulted with the board of directors and we decided to accept this request."

Following Saudi Arabia's 2-1 friendly loss to Bolivia on Tuesday, Renard said: "I would like to thank everybody in Saudi for their support during almost four years.

"I think I did the maximum with the team. I can't reach another level so I prefer to be honest with everybody. Thank you again, it was a fantastic time."

Renard will announce his first squad for France's upcoming April friendlies against Colombia and Canada during his presentation on Friday.

NewsGhana

The Phryges, modelled on phrygian caps, are unveiled as the mascots for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games on November 10, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)

Paris 2024

PARIS, March 31, 2023 - The Paris 2024 Board of Directors met on Thursday 30 March, at the Organising Committee’s headquarters, for an update on the Olympic and Paralympic project. With just over 500 days to go until the opening of the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 and all its stakeholders reaffirmed their collective commitment and ambition to ensure that the first Paralympic Games ever to be held in France is a great moment of celebration that leaves a strong legacy for the inclusion of people with disabilities. 

Collective commitment to ensure that the first Paralympic Games ever to be held in France is a moment of great celebration and festivity for the masses

The Paris 2024 Board of Directors received an update on the Organising Committee’s Paralympic integration strategy, which aims to create the conditions required to put on an exceptional sporting spectacle with inclusion at its heart by making sport a vehicle for social change.

The Paris 2024 organisers reiterated the three key commitments that were made during the bid phase, as well as the practical measures they have taken, with the support of all the project’s stakeholders, to ensure the Paralympic Games are a success:

Consolidation of the Paralympic Games as a top-level sporting event, with the choice of highly symbolic, spectacular competition venues that will enable Paralympic sports to be celebrated right in the heart of Paris (wheelchair fencing and para taekwondo at the Grand Palais, para archery on the Esplanade des Invalides, etc.) and the first Paralympic Games opening ceremony to be held outside a stadium, from the foot of the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde. In order to ensure the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games catch the public imagination like never before, media coverage of the event will be unprecedented, with a record 300 hours of airtime on France Télévisions and Paralympic Games awareness courses aimed at national media already underway in partnership with the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF). Finally, in order to help build and broaden the Paralympic Games fanbase, the spectator journey will be based on accessibility, a dedicated ticketing platform and an unforgettable stadium experience. 

Support for the growth of Paralympic sports and showcasing of Paralympic athletes, with young people’s awareness of Paralympic sports heightened through the organisation of the Olympic and Paralympic Week (OPW). Held each year since 2016 in partnership with the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, around 95% of OPW projects include a disability awareness aspect. The seventh edition, to be held later this year, will focus on the theme of inclusion.  Support for local Paralympic sport projects and initiatives is also provided through the Paris 2024 endowment fund: 10% of the projects supported are exclusively dedicated to accessibility or promoting the participation of people with disabilities in sport. They include the project to develop inclusive sports clubs in cooperation with the CPSF, the City of Paris and the Département of Seine-Saint-Denis, which the government has announced will be expanded in order to create 3,000 inclusive clubs by 2024. The staging of the Paralympic Games in France also provides an opportunity to set a new benchmark for event organisation by developing the ISO 20121 standard for accessibility and inclusion. This process was successfully launched on the inaugural Paralympic Day, when the accessibility measures taken were praised by the French standardisation association, AFNOR.

Enhancing the recognition and value of the Paralympic brand, firstly through an unprecedented integration strategy with a combined French national team, emblem and slogan. Secondly through the desire to increase the visibility of the Paralympic Movement by successfully organising the inaugural Paralympic Day at the Place de la Bastille in Paris in October 2022 and designing a Paralympic mascot with a running blade, the first Games mascot with a visible disability.

A shared desire to embrace the positive dynamic of the Games in order to promote access to sport for people with disabilities and leave a lasting legacy

Following the presentation, at the plenary session on Wednesday 29 March, of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) on the development of para sport in France, Thierry Beaudet, CESE president, and co-rapporteurs Marie-Amélie Le Fur and Dominique Carlac’h presented the conclusions of the report on behalf of the CESE. The Paris 2024 Board of Directors, represented by its president, Tony Estanguet, and CESE president Thierry Beaudet highlighted the quality of the work carried out, which forms part of wider collaboration between Paris 2024 and the CESE aimed at making the Paris 2024 Games a vehicle for the inclusion and sustainable cohesion of all citizens.

Renewal of Paris 2024 endowment fund calls for proposals for the 2023-2024 period

The Paris 2024 Board of Directors also adopted the strategic guidelines and budget of the Paris 2024 endowment fund for the 2023-2024 period. By renewing the existing calls for proposals, Paris 2024, the French government, local authorities, the sports movement and partner companies are staying true to their ambition to strengthen the social impact of sport. 

The Paris 2024 Board of Directors expressed its wish to continue supporting the winning projects from previous editions as a priority in order to maximise their impact and long-term potential. It welcomed the commitment of the co-funding bodies that are supporting the future of these projects and already beginning to leave a sustainable legacy that will last beyond the Games.

A total budget of €4.95 million was adopted to fund projects with a strong social impact during the 2023-2024 period.

AIPS

The President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Mr. Witold Bańka together with the Director of Africa for WADA, Mr. Rodney Swigelaar are on a three day official visit to Ghana from Wednesday 29th March to Friday 31st March, 2023.

Upon their arrival, the team paid a courtesy call on the Minister for youth and sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif to discuss Ghana's preparations and WADA's role in the organisation of the 13th African Games and also the possibility of opening an Agency office in Ghana to step up the implementation of anti- doping in Ghana and beyond.

Mr. Witold Bańka said Ghana’s name is now big in world sports and urged everyone to support anti doping

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) wishes Isaac Dogboe who is the current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Featherweight champion, the very best of luck in his upcoming WBO featherweight world  title fight against Robeisy Ramirez on Saturday April 1st,2023 at the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa,Oklahoma,USA.

The former WBO Super Batamweight Champion, Isaac "The Royal Storm" Dogboe with an official  record of 26 fights,2 loses,24 wins with 15 by way of knockouts is looking forward of becoming a two time world champion against a credible Cuban opponent, Robeisy Ramiirez with an official record of 12 fights,1 loss,11 wins with 7 by way of knockouts.

The GBA has been monitoring Dogboe’s training regime and has no doubt in his ability to become a two-time world champion against a Cuban and southpaw boxer, Ramirez.

The GBA President ,Abraham Kotei Neequaye, who is currently in the United States of America for the fight is highly optimistic of a sound victory  for Dogboe and on  behalf of the entire GBA  Executive Board Members, the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union, members of the boxing Fraternity and all well-Wishers in Ghana and beyond wishes Isaac Dogboe the very best of luck underpinned by intelligence, wisdom and creativity in the ring.

As the statutory body in charge of Regulation, Promotion, Organization and development of Professional Boxing in Ghana, The GBA President, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, Vice Chairman of Promotions, Michael Tetteh  and Deputy Communications Director, Eyram Dady are in Tulsa, Oklahoma monitoring and observing the training regime of Dogbie and  provide him with prayers and moral supports before, during and after his fight.

The GBA is by this goodwill message wishes to encourage all Ghanaians especially the Boxing fraternity to remember Isaac Dogboe in their prayers to help him triumph in the ring on Saturday.

Isaac "The Royal Storm" Dogboe, we know you will fight tirelessly for mother Ghana and lift our flag very high. We believe in your ability and capability to reposition yourself at your current comfortable weight at the featherweight division. You are the best!!

GBA Communications Directorate

… WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Champion ready to fight in Ghana

Andy Hiraoka Cudjoe, the WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Champion has assured his Ghanaian supporters and fans of a local fight if he is given the opportunity.

Speaking to the media at the Bukom Boxing Arena where he engaged in sparring sessions with some Ghanaian boxers, he proved to be technically good with remarkable defense and counter attacking.

Coach by his dad, Justice Cudjoe who was a former boxer, they thrilled fans who came to the gym of the Arena to watch his training.

His dad said they are in Ghana to meet his family, friends and fans as well as create a support base.

He admired the way Ghanaians cherish their heroes and promised to win other titles, preferably at IBF, WBA or WBC.

He revealed that they are working with USA outfit, Top Rank to promote a fight in Ghana.

CEO of Box Office Promotions, Mr. Alex Ntiamoah Boakye said they hope to collaborate with Top Rank to stage his bout and was optimistic that many people would love to watch him.

Present at the Media Work Out was former WBC Featherweight Champion Professor Azumah Nelson and Razor AKWEI Addo, also a former National Champion.

Andy Hiraoka Cudjoe who's roots are in Korle Gonno in Accra has won all his 22 bouts with 17 knock outs and 5 by unanimous points victories.

Rev. Richmond Quarcoo, former Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Olympic Committee GOC and current President of the Ghana Squash Association who is in charge of Cudjoe's media relations said they will soon visit some TV and radio stations to relay their plans and create a chance for the public to call and interact with the Champion whose mother is Japanese.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

On Thursday April 6th 2023, International Day of Sports For Development and Peace 2023. The Africa Sports Report Podcast Host; Leslie Koroma Sr will talk to the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 13th Edition of the African Games slated for March 8th - 23rd  2024 in Ghana Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare about hosting the Games and its Challenges as the nation gets set to welcome and host the rest of Africa and the wider African Diaspora in a Celebration of Sports and Culture.

You can listen to this Podcast on Thursday April 6th 2023, Past & Future episodes on the various global Podcast platforms; iHeart Radio, Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Castbox, Podchaser and Audible and on our new carrier Bullhorn. Thanks to the team at BullHorn for picking up our Podcast.

#africangames #ag2024  #kwakuofosuasare #ghana #accra #africanunion #anoca #nanaakufoaddo #africa #sports #olympics

LAUSANNE, March 28, 2023 – The Moroccan boxing champion Khadija Mardi, 32-years-old, and a mother of three, was crowned with gold after defeating her Kazakh competitor Kongibayeva Lazat in the heavyweight final of the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, +81kg category, the event was held between 15 to 26 March, 2023 in New Delhi, India. She is the first Moroccan, African and Arab to win a boxing world champion title.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Al-Mardi, has previously represented Morocco in a number of prestigious sports competitions abroad like Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where she placed 5th in heavyweight, and participated in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She was an IBA world boxing championships silver medalist in 2022 Istanbul (heavyweight), and world bronze medalist in 2019 Ulan-Ude (middleweight). She is a six-time African Champion, and double champion of Coupe mohamed 6 internationale. The start of the 2023 season came smashing for Khadija, when she became champion of the IBA Women’s World Boxing 2023 just this weekend. Moroccans on social media celebrated widely her title win.

FAMILY DEDICATION World champion Khadija Al-Mardi said in a statement for Al-Youm 24: “I am very happy to be crowned finally with the gold medal in the World Women’s Boxing Championship, I dedicate this coronation to my family, who’s been my support system, King Mohammed VI and to all Moroccans.”.

TEAM MOROCCO FEMME The Moroccan team included four female boxers for this world championship: Khadija Al-Mardi (+81kg), Yasmine Motaki (-48kg), who was crowned with bronze, along with Wydad Bartal (-54kg) and Rabab Cheddar (-50kg), who were eliminated, respectively, in the second round and the quarter-finals, against the Mongolian Mongontseg Enkhergal and French Lakhaderi Wassila.

IBA SUPPORT PORGRAM 23 nations enjoyed the Financial Support Program, advanced by the International Boxing Association (IBA) to allow boxers take part in the World Boxing Championships in New Delhi’s K.D. Jadhav Indoor Hall, and some of them are having their debut at this major women’s event.

PARTICIPATING NATIONS Athletes from countries across 4 continents, including Afghanistan, Nepal, Guyana, Guatemala, Moldova, Eswatini, Colombia, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Botswana, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Haiti, Slovakia, Mali, Cameroon and an individual athlete from the Netherlands are among those benefitted from the FSP.

Among those countries, Nepal, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Mexico got quarter-finalists.

DEVELOPING BOXING GLOBALLY “Our main goal is to create good conditions for our athletes to compete. IBA Financial Support Program aims to help smaller and less fortunate countries to compete internationally and receive necessary experience from major tournaments. For those nations that have already been competing at this level, it’s a huge chance to be on the podium, despite financial issues. Step by step after their debuts, countries that are here for the first time, will develop faster in boxing,” IBA President Umar Kremlev said.

“IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships is not only a major competition, but a great exchange of experience for nations, as they have opportunity to train together and organise sparring especially for boxers, who were eliminated.” Kremlev added.

By Nadine Alsheikh Hassan - AIPS Media