The club of Ghana forward Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Sporting Lisbon are convinced that the player's goal against the Algeria U23 team should be nominated for the Puskás award.

The FIFA Puskás Award is an award dished out by FIFA to the male or female player judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant goal every year.

While the 2022 award has gone to Marcin Oleksy, there is another award up for grabs for 2023.

Following Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s golazo against the Algeria U23 team while in action for the Ghana U23 team, his club Sporting CP believes the goal should be considered for the award.

The talented teenager on Thursday night scored with a spectacular strike from the centre circle to help the Black Meteors to draw 1-1 with their counterpart from Algeria in the qualifiers for the U23 AFCON..

This is what his Portuguese club posted after the goal; “Did you already miss a Puskás candidate goal? Abdul Fatawu Issahaku solves.”

Já tinham saudades de um golo candidato ao Puskás? @AbdulFatawuI10 resolve ????#LeõesNasSelecções ???????? pic.twitter.com/3R8yekL3ce

— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) March 24, 2023

The video has since gone viral with many people rooting for a Puskas award nomination for the fantastic goals scored by the talented teenager.

Footballmadeinghana

Ghanaian youngster and world champion hopeful - Alfred Lamptey arrived on March 17 to mount a camping at Hot Box Gym in the "City of Gold" (Johannesburg) for preparation towards his world championship campaign.

The move is to help the 20 year old Lamptey sharpen his skill and build his technique for bigger tasks ahead in his journey to conquer the world.

The camp is under the supervision of the head coach of the Hot Box Gym - Colin Nathan, a celebrated boxing trainer who has had seven (7) world champions passed through his blessed hands.

Colin believes Lamptey is very talented and a world champion prospect and with the right moves and support he shall get there sooner than one could imagine.

Lamptey went with his life-long trainer Ebenezer Adjei whom Colin Nathan described as one good personality who despite his good knowledge in boxing still humble and ready to learn from new environment.

Ebenezer Adjei described the camping to be fantastic and said with the kind of sparring Lamptey is involved, he believes the best would come out of him.

He (Ebenezer) narrates how many boxing managers and promoters who brought their wards to the gym were amazed with the youngster's  (Lamptey) skill in the ring during the sparring sessions.

The camp not only benefits Lamptey but another Ghanaian amateur rising star - Jonathan Tetteh aka Worldwide is also happy about with the level of training and sparring and believes with such campings he will be in his beast mode to devour his opponents to win laurels for Ghana.

Jonathan thanked his sponsor Mr.Jonathan Odartey Baddoo aka Big Joe of Baze Group for his immense support for his (Jonathan) boxing career.

The multiple titlist / SWAG 2021 award winner - Alfred Lamptey aka Bukom Bomber or Showtime is return to the ring on April 30, 2023 in Accra.

The team is to return to Ghana on April 11, 2023 which makes it 26 days camping time.

Lamptey is being sponsored by Round 10 Boxing Dubai and Ashfoam Ghana Ltd.

Source BOS

Village Bicycle Project, an NGO who are seeking to partner the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) for mutual benefits on Wednesday paid a courtesy call the General Secretary of Ghana Cycling Federation Mr. Shaaban Mohammed and some executives.

They hinted on how to support Ghana Sports, especially cyclists to keep their dreams alive and most importantly their safety.

Madam Charlotte the Re-Cycling Warehouse Manager of Village Bicycles Project said, their aim is to educate parents to allow their wards in school to add cycling to their daily life fitness and the beautiful part is to give free bicycles to school children as a motivation to help them in the sports of cycling..

"Cycling in Ghana is truly growing and Ghana Cycling Federation has really done well in organizing programs for cyclists which through that cycling has being recognized all over the world.

Our partnership with the federation will go along way to help cyclists in Ghana.

"We at Village bicycle project are delighted to see the good things the Ghana cycling federation has done to promote cycling in Ghana and Africa" she said.

The bikes that will be given to the Ghana Cycling Federation by Village Bicycle Project will be part of the new transformation to enable people to be healthier and nurture the “catch them young’ programme as Ghana can produce more talents across the world doing cycling competitions.

The visit included bicycle shipping partners board of executives directors, Mr. Mark Pamment Re-Cycle warehouse manager - (UK), Madam Charlotte Ward cycle Director (UK) Joshua Poppel, Village Bicycle Project (USA),Taylor Jones, Executive Director of Bikes for the World US and Gavin Lafave Trek Bikes Employee.

Mr. Taylor Jones expressed that they want to Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of riding and transform Accra into a 'Cycling City'

They were accompanied by Ebenezer Somiah, Ghana Representative.

Mr. Shaaban Mohammend was delighted to meet people who share the same ldeas with him on the school cycling project. He said, the Ghana Cycling Federation has endorsed the initiative and will execute it so that Ghanaian cyclists will benefit from gesture from Village Bicycle Project.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

Transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in female track and field events regardless of their levels of testosterone, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe says.

No female transgender athlete who had gone through male puberty would be permitted to compete in female world ranking competitions from March 31, Coe said.

Speaking after a meeting of the global track and field federation’s decision-making body on Thursday, Coe said World Athletics had consulted with stakeholders, including 40 national federations, the International Olympic Committee and trans groups about the issue of transgender athletes.

“The majority of those consulted stated that transgender athletes should not be competing in the female category,” he said.

“Many believe there is insufficient evidence that transwomen do not retain advantage over biological women and want more evidence that any physical advantages have been ameliorated before they are willing to consider an option for inclusion into the female category.”

He added: “The judgement we took … was, I believe, in the best interests of our sport.”

“Not saying ‘no’ forever”

Coe said a working group headed by a transgender person would be created to further monitor scientific developments.

“We’re not saying ‘no’ forever,” Coe said.

“We continue to take the view that we must maintain fairness for female athletes above all other considerations,” he said. “We will be guided in this by the science around physical performance and male advantage, which will inevitably develop over the coming years. As more evidence becomes available, we will review our position, but we believe the integrity of the female category in athletics is paramount.”

World Athletics said it became apparent that there is “little support within the sport” for an option that was presented to stakeholders that required transgender athletes to maintain their testosterone levels below 2.5 nanomoles per litre of blood for 24 months to be eligible to compete internationally in the female category.

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“There are currently no transgender athletes competing internationally in athletics and consequently no athletics-specific evidence of the impact these athletes would have on the fairness of female competition in athletics,” the World Athletics Council said in a statement. “In these circumstances, the Council decided to prioritise fairness and the integrity of the female competition before inclusion.”

Tighter rules for athletes with DSD

The council also voted to tighten restrictions on athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD).

Under the new regulations, DSD athletes will have to reduce their amount of blood testosterone to below 2.5 nanomoles per litre, down from the current level of 5, and remain below this threshold for two years rather than just one, as is the case now, to compete in the female category.

The most high-profile DSD athlete is double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya of South Africa.

Semenya has been trying to compete in longer events. She finished 13th in her qualifying heat at 5,000 meters at the world championships last year.

To compete at next year’s Olympics, she would have to undergo hormone-suppressing treatment for six months, something she has said she will never do again, having undergone the treatment a decade ago under previous rules.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES

Black Meteors coach, Ibrahim Tanko is beaming with confidence that his boys will win against Algeria in the first leg of their U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.

Ghana face the North African side in the final stage of the qualifiers for the AFCON tournament to be played later this year in Morocco.

Following their last training session in Annaba, Tanko said he is optimistic about the Meteors’ chances against their counterparts.

“Those who are here are 100% committed and I have confidence in them that they can deliver,” he said.

“It’s a new team not like the last time but we also have a very good team here. We have some foreign-based players who are okay with the weather and we hope that the players will deliver.”

He added that his team will not shy away from attacking the important during the game.

“We are here to play active football. We are not here to defend, we will play both offensive and defensive. We want to keep and clean sheet and score. We want to have a very good scoreline ahead of the second leg.”

The game is scheduled for a 21:00 GMT kickoff.

Coach Ibrahim Tanko invited 25 players including eight Europe-based players for the final round of qualifiers.

The tournament will also be a qualification competition for the summer Olympic Games in Paris next year.

Footballmadeinghana

Track and field banned transgender athletes from international competition Thursday, while adopting new regulations that could keep Caster Semenya and other athletes with differences in sex development from competing.

In a pair of decisions expected to stoke outrage, the World Athletics Council adopted the same rules as swimming did last year in deciding to bar athletes who have transitioned from male to female and have gone through male puberty. No such athletes currently compete at the highest elite levels of track.

Another set of updates, for athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), could impact up to 13 current high-level runners, WA President Sebastian Coe said. They include Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion at 800 meters, who has been barred from that event since 2019.

Semenya and others had been able to compete without restrictions in events outside the range of 400 meters through one mile but now will have to undergo hormone-suppressing treatment for six months before competing to be eligible.

Coe conceded there are no easy answers on this topic, which has turned into a societal lightning rod involving advocates concerned with keeping a level playing field in women's sports and others who don't want to discriminate against transgender and DSD athletes.

“All the decisions we've taken have their challenges,” Coe said. “If that's the case, then we will do what we have done in the past, which is vigorously defend our position. And the overarching principle for me is we will always do what we think is in the best interest of our sport.”

Athletes with sex development differences, such as Semenya and Olympic 200-meter silver medalist Christine Mboma of Namibia, are not transgender, although the two issues share similarities when it comes to sports.

Such athletes were legally identified as female at birth but have a medical condition that leads to some male traits, including high levels of testosterone that World Athletics argues gives them the same kind of unfair advantage as transgender athletes.

sputnik

Paris 2024 has opened the application portal for the volunteer programme for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. The programme is open to all - both in France and internationally – and May 3, 2023 is the deadline to apply.

According to the organisers, “a total of 45,000 volunteers will have the opportunity to live unique moments and experience the Games from the inside with the Olympic Games on 26 July to 11 August 2024 and the Paralympic Games on 28 August to 8 September 2024.”

RUSSIANS AND BELARUSIANS? At the media briefing yesterday (March 21), organisers were asked about the participation of Russians and Belarusians and Alexandre Morenon-Condé, the Paris 2024 volunteer programme director stressed: “The volunteer programme is open to all, no exceptions are made.

“But we do say in the Charter, that if you reside in area we have to make sure that you are able to take the right administrative process to be a volunteer and come to France to be there for the duration of the Games.”

The participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes at Paris 2024, albeit as individual, neautral athletes, following the invasion of Ukraine has been a serious bone of contention in the world of sports. According to the IOC, “no decision has been taken” on this issue.

KEY ROLE The volunteers will be mobilised throughout France at all the official venues of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will play a key role in all sectors of the event delivery including: welcoming and guiding spectators and accredited persons, assisting sports delegations, accompanying athletes to competition venues and press operations, transporting accredited persons, supporting timekeeping activities, participating in the distribution of equipment, and providing medical assistance, etc.

HOW TO APPLY The three basic conditions to apply are: applicants must be over 18 years old on 1 January 2024, speak at least French or English, and be available for at least 10 days during the Olympic and/or the Paralympic Games. Anyone interested in this opportunity  can access the unique application portal on the Paris 2024 website.

“Joining Paris 2024 is an opportunity for the volunteers. But the volunteers are also an opportunity for Paris 2024, as they bring their enthusiasm, energy and skills,” says Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President.

“They are the face, the soul, the heart and the smile of our Games!”

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE “There will be something for everyone,” said Morenon-Condé. We have put in place a process to find where you are best suited as a volunteer.

“The programme is open to everyone, including disabled candidates. Paris has the biggest number of options, but there are 5,000 roles outside this area in places like Lille or Marseille.

“The portal on the Paris 2024 site is a one-stop shop. It will take you between 35 to 45 minutes to register, which you can do using a tablet, phone or laptop. There is no draw - but it is not first come, first served.”

FIRST PHASE He continued: “We are going to use each piece of information we receive. The first phase will involve an algorithm that will orientate candidates towards different types of missions and sites.

“For example, if you say you are available for the Paralympics, and ready to give up so many days, and you live here, and you speak these languages - the system will have needs predictions and will pre-orientate candidates accordingly.”

ACCOMMODATION Morenon-Condé explained that Paris 2024 will not be providing accommodation or transport costs for volunteers: “However, when we are allocating different volunteers to different places, we will ask them about where they are going to be staying, and we will work to ensure we are giving them roles that fit best.”

When asked if volunteers would be given a ticket to enjoy a bit of spectator experience, Morenon-Condé said: “When you experience the Games as a volunteer you are on the inside already. I have been a volunteer in the past. It’s an incredible experience.

“If you want to be a part of the Games in this way you are a volunteer. If you want to see it as a spectator your journey is slightly different - but that means you are not a volunteer per se.

AIPS

The Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym headed by Coach Vincent Akai Nettey are leaders of the Ghana Professional Boxing League Table after the first Fight Night at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

The James Town based gym with classic boxers won by a knock out to collect the maximum three points and top the table of 14 teams.

Ghana Armed Forces and Wisdom Gym also recorded Technical Knock out wins to place second and third with three points.

Akotoku Academy, Charles Quartey, Panix and Ghana Prisons were all winners on fight night one and got the maximum three points.

Other gyms who lost on the first day of the Second Season include Black Panthers, Bridge, Bronx, Fit Square, SeaView / Will Power, Seconds Out and Palm Springs / The Gym who are lying at the bottom.

Coach Nettey who is assistant to Dr. Ofori Asare at the Black Bombers (National Team) believes they can maintain the position to the end of the Season.

“We have very good boxers who can soak the pressure and keep the pace till the end. This year is going to be different because we are not going to allow the chance slip from our hands. We know that as leaders all eyes will be on us but we are going all out” he said.

Wisdom Boxing Gym who placed last in Season One are on the third position and Coach Addo also thinks they will do very well this season.

“We saw what happened in Season One and we are not going to lower our guard, we are in contention so we will parade our best and make sure we win all the remaining bouts” he said.

The second Fight Night is on March 25, 2023 and it is going to be exciting as promised by Imax Boxing Promotions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The BabaYara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday March 23, 2023 hosted one of the biggest crowds in Ghana Football in recent times when the national team, the Black Stars pipped the Palancas Negras of Angola, courtesy a late 96^th minute goal strike by Antoine Samenyo.

The Angolans came with a game plan to hold the Stars, but the anticipating fans could not afford to leave the field without a goal, also Ghana has not lost a game in the Garden City.

Coach Chris Houghtlon admitted it was his biggest match and expect more as he handles the new Black Stars till the end of 2024.

While Angola frustrated Ghana, Coach Houghton had to make changes in the team, bringing on Bournemouth star Semenyo who scored in his debut on local ground for Inaki Williams has now gone seven (7) games without a goal,

In the absence of Andre Ayew, Arsenal star, Thomas Partey led the Stars to the party with Kumasi fans.

The starting lineup of Ghana was Goalkeeper Ati Zigi, Dennis Odoi, Gideon Mensah, Alex Djiku, Dan  Amartey, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Edmund Addo, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus and Kamaradeen Sulemana.

The subs who maintain the heat on Angola for Ghana were Aidoo, Bukari, Ahmed Salis, Joseph Paintsil and Semenyo.

Coach Houghton was very happy to win his first match in charge as Black Stars Coach.

The Black Stars fired 20 shots at goal but failed to find the target on 11 occasions with Williams, Sulemana, and Jordan Ayew all missing chances.

While some fans cheered Sulemana as the man of the match, others game it to Thomas Partey, but my man of the match was Dennis Odoi.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ghana Football Association and the National Sports Authority must be commended for their roles in pitching the match at the Baba Yara Stadium.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mesut Özil, the Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, has announced his retirement from professional football aged 34.

Once regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position, Özil won the La Liga title with Real Madrid in 2012 and four FA Cup titles with Arsenal between 2014 and 2020.

He was also part of the Germany squad at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups and scored 23 goals in 92 appearances for his country.

“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredible thankful for the opportunity,” Özil wrote on social media.

“But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”

Starting his club career in Germany with Schalke and Werder Bremen, Özil spent three years at Real Madrid and eight with Arsenal before moving to Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe and, most recently, İstanbul Başakşehir.

He developed a reputation as a superb passer and playmaker, recording at least 20 assists in each of his three seasons with Madrid.

Özil played club football in Germany, Spain, England and Turkey during his career.

At Arsenal, his 19 assists in the Premier League during the 2015/16 season is one shy of the league record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Having arrived in North London for a then club-record fee of $54.8 million, Özil scored 44 goals in 254 appearances for Arsenal but was frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s squad in his final season, despite reportedly being one of the team’s highest-paid earners.

He failed to win more silverware in the final two years of his career in Turkey and had limited playing time with Başakşehir due to injury problems.

Named Germany’s player of the year on five occasions, Özil played in all his country’s World Cup games in 2010 and 2014, when he was an instrumental part of the team that beat Argentina 1-0 in the 2014 final.

He played his final game for the national team at the 2018 World Cup before announcing his international retirement, citing racism and disrespect.

In a lengthy statement explaining the decision, Özil, who is of Turkish descent, said he felt “German when we win” but like “an immigrant when we lose,” with the German Football Federation saying it was “regrettable that Mesut Özil felt that he had not been sufficiently protected as a target of racist slogans.”

Writing on social media on Wednesday, Özil thanked fans, his friends and his family for supporting him throughout his career.

“Now I’m looking forward to everything that is in front of me with me beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela – but you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels,” he said.

By George Ramsay, CNN