Boxer Samuel Takyi hopes to return to the Black Bombers to represent Ghana at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The Ring Warrior told Yours Truly in an exclusive interview that he will make a second appearance at the Olympic Games.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist said he wants to carry Ghana to the next level in sports as Ghana prepares to host the 13th African Games.

According to Takyi, he was at the sod cutting ceremony at Borteyman, so he must contribute fully to the success of the Local Organising Committee in staging Accra 2023 for the government as well as people of Ghana.

Takyi disclosed that he will love to represent his country at the African Games 2023 being hosted for the first time in Ghana and the Olympic Games qualifiers.

He revealed that a professional from America beat him to lose the gold at the Olympic Games, and after researching and learning a lot, he has decided to have a second shot at the Olympic Games.

"I really love the scene when we arrived from the Olympic Games and the love Ghanaians showed to us if there is a chance for me to grab the gold for Ghana, I am fully ready to come back to the Black Bombers and help Ghana to win gold. I want to be on record as a two time Olympian  because I want to meet the IOC President once again, he is my friend. "

Samuel Takyi who currently trains with Coach Dr. Ofori Asare at the Wisdom Boxing Gym may also  move to a new management, but he feels the love and exposure given by the Bazooka Promotions headed by young promoter, Mr. Clement Quartey.

Takyi noted that because of four people who inspired and motivated him to became a Super Star, naming  Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ofori Asare who coached him at Tokyo 2020 and Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine who psyched and encouraged him to focus and target the goal and reason for representing the nation.

"Because of these four people, I will be at Paris 2024. We passed through Paris on transit from Tokyo, and I remember promising to come there for the gold, I have experienced a lot and my target is the Olympic gold" he stressed.

Samuel Takyi who is Africa's leading boxer (Number One) after defeating the first and second continental contenders believe Ghana can win more medals at Paris 2024 because the Athletics Association also has some amazing athletes, like Ben Azamati, Paul Amoah, Deborah Acquah, Grace Obuor, and others.

He congratulated Coach Ofori Asare on his appointed as Technical Committee member of the IBA.

He also wished the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President and Executive Board more life, knowledge, wisdom and prosperity in leading Ghana Sports.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The mortal remains of Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu Twasam will be buried today, Friday March 17, 2023 in his hometown, Ada.

The funeral rites which was held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, Ghana attracted a lot of mourners including the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, former President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia, the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Director General of the NSA Prof. Peter Twumasi, Minister of Youth & Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif, government officials and the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Mr. Kurt Okraku who was accompanied by Mr. Fred Acheampong, Treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

Some ex-footballers were there to pay their last respect to their colleague, late Christian Atsu Twasam.

Most of them who could not control their tears include Mubarak Wakaso, Abedi Ayew Pele, Tony Yeboah, John Paintsil, Sammy Osei Kuffour, Sulley Muntari, Yaw Acheampong, Felix Aboagye, Arthur Moses, Richard Kingston, Stephen Appiah, Sam Johnson, Peter Ofori Quaye, Afo Dodoo, Godwin Attram, Prince Tagoe, John Mensah, Augustine Arhinful, Fatau Dauda,Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and many others including wife of Michael Essien. Leo Akoto, a fitness trainer and coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton were not left out.

The media who were accredited were also in attendance in numbers as well as the supporters unions and many Ghanaians from all walks of life.

Representatives from clubs in Europe that he has played for and his last club, Hatayaspor were there and read their tribute.

His dear wife, Marie Claire Rupio and kids were also present with family members and friends, while Ghanaian culture was fully on display.

Atsu, born on 10 January 1992 was a talented footballer for the Ghana Black Stars holding 65 caps from 2012 to 2019.  He represented Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

He helped the team finish as runners-up at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he also won Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament.

The ex-Cheetah FC, Porto, Chelsea, Vitesse, Everton, Bournermouth, Malaga,New Castle Utd, Al Reed and Hatayspor star was involved in a number of philanthropic works before his sudden demise in a terrible 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023.

Ghanaians and Yours Truly will remember him foerever… Atsu Rest in Peace.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Federation and Head Trainer of the National Boxing Team, the Black Bombers, Coach, Dr. Ofori Asare has been appointed to serve on the Technical Committee of the International Boxing Association (IBA).

The appointment letter which was from Lausanne on Wednesday, March 14, 2023 and signed by the IBA President, Umar Kremlev said “on behalf of the IBA Board, I would like to confirm the appointment of Ofori Asare to serve as a Member of the IBA Coaches Committee”.

The IBA President said he was extremely confident that with his subject knowledge and experience, DR. Asare will make significant contribution to the success of the important Technical Committee.

He added that he welcome Asare to the team and look forward to working with him for the greater good of IBA and global boxing community.

The award winning trainer was the only African who won a bronze medal with Samuel Takyi at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

He also led some young boxers to win two silver and one bronze  at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

He is the founder and manager of the Wisdom Boxing Gym in Accra, Ghana where so many boxers train. Dr. Asare, a trainer of trainers has been honored by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana and several organisations for his marvelous work and achievements.

Meanwhile the Ghana Olympic Committee President Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), Mr. Ben Quartey and Yours Truly, the President of the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) have congratulated him on his new appointment.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced ticket prices for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Angola on March 23, 2023.

According to the DG of the NSA, the rates have been lowered considerably.

He said the VIP yard ticket and VVIP box will be sold for GH₵50 and GH₵70, respectively. For those on a tighter budget, popular stand tickets are available for only GH₵20.

Fans who want to watch from the wings and centerline will pay GH₵50 and GH₵30, respectively.

He noted that the pricing plan aims to boost more fans to attend the match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The match against Angola holds significance as it will mark new coach Chris Hughton's debut as head coach of the Black Stars.

He was recently promoted from the technical advisor role and is eager to lead the team to victory in his first game in charge.

Football fans are happy with the rates and will fill the stadium to cheer the Black Stars who will feature players like Inaki Williams who is playing in Ghana for the first time and star player, Kudus Mohammed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The 2021 SWAG Professional Boxer of the year - Alfred Lamptey traveled on Thursday March 16 in a company of his trainer - Ebenezer Adjei and amateur promising star - Jonathan Tetteh to camp at Hot Box Gym under South Africa's ace trainer Colin Nathan.

The trip is facilitated by Box Office Sports and sponsored by Dubai based Round 10 Boxing & Base Pharmacy.

Round 10 Boxing, managers of Alfred Lamptey has indicated their readiness to support the boxer to become the youngest ever world champion from Ghana and therefore such camping would be necessary for his development towards the world championship target.

Mr. Jonathan Odartey Baddoo, MD of Base Pharmacy has indicated his willingness to support boxing especially among the Ga Mashie community in order to help change the fortunes of his folks by starting first with Jonathan Tetteh.

Box Office Sports has hinted Alfred Lamptey will return to the ring on April 30 in Accra.

Mr. Ntiamoah-Boakye, CEO Box Office Sports has promised to bring more events this year to the Ghanaian boxing fans while preparing the  future world champions.

He hoped to collaborate with their partners to bring more Boxing events this year for the fans to enjoy quality boxing while preparing the next world champions to conquer the world.

Source BOS

Ghanaian youngster, Kingsford Boakye Yiadom has already commenced training with Italian giants AC Milan after joining them couple of days ago.

The 18 year completed a move to the Rosseneries  from MSK Zilina Africa in the just closed summer transfer window, in a deal which was brokered by renowned agent Oliver Arthur.

The Red and Blacks have been monitoring the young sensation for sometime now and were really impressed with his rapid rise, when passing through the ranks at the Ghana lower division side.

Kingsford, was pictured training with the youth team as rightly reported and will hope to establish himself as a mainstay and subsequently impress manager Stefano Pioli to make it into the first team.

He was part of the Black Satellites squad that staged a double triumph of clinching both the WAFU Zone B Championship and the Africa Youth Championship in December 2020 and March 2021 respectively.

kickgh.com

Grammy Award Winning Nigerian Musician, Burna Boy has been booked to perform at the final of the UEFA Champions League The multiple-award winning musician will be in Istanbul on June 10 to thrill fans.

The quarter-final draw for the elite European competition takes place this week Burna Boy will be performing at the final of this year's UEFA Champions League in Istanbul.

The Last Last hitmaker is expected to thrill fans before the final game alongside a yet-to-be-named headline performer.

Burna Boy has confirmed he will be performing at the final of the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul.

The Nigerian artist promised to deliver the show of a lifetime for fans later in the year. Burna Boy recently performed at the NBA All-Star Game alongside

The Grammy award-winning artist is celebrated worldwide for his numerous hits. His biggest song since last year, Last Last has been topping charts and continues to trend on various social media platforms. Meanwhile, the UEFA Champions League is at its quarter-final stage after the round of 16 games concluded this week. Italian clubs AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Napoli are joined by champions Real Madrid, the English duo of Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as Portugal's Benfica in the last eight.

sportsbrief.com

Former Black Stars players Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah are on CAF and FIFA duties in Rwanda .

The Ghanaian duo are part of a list of legends invited for the CAF President's Achievement Awards Gyan and Asamoah will also attend the FIFA Congress on Thursday as part of their designated duties.

Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah honoured an invitation from CAF President, Patrice Motsepe after attending the Outstanding Achievement Awards in Rwanda.

The former Ghana captain and the ex-Juventus star were among several African football legends at the ceremony in honour of the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Ads by The two heads of states were awarded by Dr Motsepe following their massive contributions to football on the continent.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Vice President of the Ghana Football Association Mark Addo and General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq) are representing Ghana at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.

Also in attendance will be Ghana legends Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah who are in Kigali, upon invitation from FIFA/CAF as special guests.

This year’s FIFA Congress will be held at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Agenda for the FIFA Congress include ratification of various decisions of the Bureau of the Council, discussion of proposals duly submitted by Member Associations and Executive Council, Election of the FIFA President for the 2023-27 term of office, approval of minutes of 72nd congress in Doha.

The Ghanaian delegation will also attend the CAF President's Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 which will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Kigali.

The Congress will be streamed live on FIFA.com and will be followed by a press conference.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

European giants AC Milan have signed highly-rated Ghanaian rising star, Kingsford Boakye Yiadom.

The player has arrived in Italy to begin his professional career. He played for Accra-based side MSK Zilina.

By Sammy Heywood Okine