Accra 2023 African Games executive chairman Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare says he is confident that facilities for the event would be completed on time.

With under a year to go until the postponed Games, scheduled for March 8 to 23 2024, he stated that construction staff were working round the clock to meet the agreed timelines.

Dr. Ofosu-Asare toured the project sites and described the pace of work as encouraging.

“What we are doing at the moment is to work hard with the facilities at Borteyman [Olympic Complex] and at the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon,” he said, as reported by Modern Ghana.

“Legon is far advanced; we just had a meeting today and the contractor is expected to finish everything by July.

“Then, we have the contractor who is also handling the Games Village and is also expected to hand over in July.

“With regards to the one working at Borteyman, he will have a bit of time until February next year to fine-tune the works.”

Ofosu-Asare announced that tomorrow the Organising Committee would make a final decision on whether the Games’ aquatic centre should be opened.

Experts had advised against the construction of a roofed facility which takes longer to complete and was also impractical considering Ghana’s hot climate.

“For Borteyman, the key facility there is the swimming pool,” said Ofosu-Asare.

“With the swimming pool what came up yesterday was that we can have the open one, and if we are to have the open one, it’s not going to take them that long to complete.

“It is the closed one, that is the one with the roof over the pool, that will take a bit of time.

“We have the tennis court also being constructed over there and it’s also at an advanced stage.

“We are going to have both the open court and the roofed court and there is every assurance that they [contractors] would be able to finish on time.”

Ghana’s economic crisis played a part in forcing organisers to postpone the event, as it was initially due to take place from August 4 to 19, but Ofosu-Asare is not concerned.

“People are also worried about the funding; the government is funding all these,” he added.

“We know we are going through tough times but there is the commitment and the President has given us every assurance that we will definitely host the Games come what may.”

Source happysports

Infantino is confirmed in office by acclamation at the congress of world football’s ruling body in Kigali, Rwanda.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks after his re-election during the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda [Simon Maina/AFP]

Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as president of FIFA for four more years, after running unopposed at the congress of world football’s ruling body.

The 52-year-old Swiss-Italian lawyer was confirmed in office by acclamation at the gathering in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on Thursday.

It is officially his first re-election since he initially took over the remaining term of his suspended predecessor, Joseph Blatter, in 2016. This means he can seek another term in 2027 until 2031, according to FIFA statutes.

Infantino’s re-election was a formality after no other candidate came forward, even if he is not universally popular among member associations for a range of reasons, including pushing for a failed plan to play the World Cup every two years. Several European countries, including Germany, Norway and Sweden, have not been happy with his presidency and said they would not actively support him.

“Let me simply thank all of you,” Infantino told delegates after being confirmed by a standing ovation at the 73rd FIFA Congress, where the voting system did not register the number of dissident voices.

“Those who love me, you are many, and the few who hate me, I love you all,” he said.

“Being FIFA president is a big honour and privilege but also a huge responsibility. You can continue to trust on my commitment.”

The men’s World Cup will increase from 32 teams to 48 for the next edition in North America in 2026, while the women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time in Australia and New Zealand later this year.

Infantino has also announced a projected income of $11bn in the four years up to 2026, compared with $7.5bn in the last four-year cycle ending in 2022.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES

A 3-Member Ghana Para-Athletic team, made up of Benedict Opoku Abebrese - Junior Para-Athlete, Mr Emmanuel Anim Sowah - Ghana Para-Athletic Coach and Dr Abena Yeboah Tannor - International/National Classifier, have been invited to attend the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) training camps for the GAPS Africa Programme. The competition and training camp will be held from the 14th to 22nd March 2023.

This programme has been pulled together to support para-athletes and coaches in the Africa in preparation for the Trinidad and Tobago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games. Representatives from 9 Commonwealth Games Associations have been invited to attend the programme being hosted by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

All on ground logistics will be coordinated and expenses covered by the CGF.

The leadership of the Ghana Olympic Committee led by Mr Ben Nunoo Memsah and the Ghana CDM of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games , Mrs Delphine Quaye together with the President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana Mr Samson Deen has collaborated effectively through the participant selection, medical assessment, visa acquisition and training process of the team.\

The team left onWednesday 15th March 2023,

Source NPC

Madam Quarcoo died on January 2 this year after a period of ill health.

The Local Organising Committee for the 13th African Games, Accra 2023, helped wipe the tears of two-weight world champion Azumah Nelson during the final funeral rites of his late mother.

The 64-year-old laid his late mother, Comfort Atwei Quarcoo, who passed away peacefully aged 86 to rest on Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Accra.

The Executive Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, was present at the Wesley Methodist Church, Palladium, Accra on behalf of the LOC to mourn with the former World Featherweight champion.

Madam Quarcoo died on January 2 this year after a period of ill health.

by El Akyereko 

Spain-based Inaki Williams is set to play on Ghanaian soil for the first time since switching his international allegiance.

The Athletic Bilbao forward was included in Chris Hughton’s 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualification doubleheader against Angola.

Ghana are set to host the Palancras Negras at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on March 23 before traveling to Luanda for the reverse fixture four days later days.

Inaki will be aiming to score his first ever goal for the national team in front of his home crowd at the hallowed 40,000 capacity edifice.

The 28 year old first made his international debut for Spain back in 2016, playing 30 minutes in a friendly against Bosnia.

However, he switched nationalities to play for Ghana ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Source footballmadeinghana.com

The CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 was conferred on President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and King Mohammed VI of Morocco in recognition of their track record and extensive and far-reaching contributions to football in their countries and to making African Football Globally Competitive and Self-Sustaining.

President Motsepe said: “Today’s CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Awards 2022 Ceremony is important and historic because CAF, on behalf of the 54 African Nations that are its Members is expressing its gratitude and appreciation to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and King Mohammed VI of Morocco for their passion and significant support for the development and growth of Football in their countries as well as their contributions to making African Football globally competitive and self-sustaining. CAF is also conferring these Awards in recognition and appreciation of the support and partnerships that exists in many African countries between the Head of State, the National Government and the Football Leadership in each of the 54 Nations that are Members of CAF.”

President Kagame, the Representative of King Mohammed VI, President Infantino joined President Motsepe in recognizing the unique role that football can play in uniting and bringing together people from different races, ethnic groups, languages, religious affiliations and backgrounds in Africa and Worldwide.

President Motsepe added: “We have a clear objective of ensuring that an African Nation wins the FIFA World Cup and we are confident that this will happen. In order to achieve this, the partnership between the Local Football Leadership and the Government of each of the 54 CAF Member Associations is important and essential.”

The CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 Ceremony was attended by President Paul Kagame, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports Chakib Benmoussa who was representing King Mohammed VI of Morocco, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CONMEBOL President Alenjandro Dominguez, FIFA Council Members and other FIFA representatives, Ambassadors and Diplomats of the Diplomatic Corps residing in Rwanda, the Presidents and Secretaries General of the 54 African Nations that are Members of CAF and the CAF Executive Committee.

CAF is committed to work together with African Governments, the private sector and other partners to build stadiums, football pitches and other football infrastructure and facilities.

CAF Communication

All too soon, another exciting countdown has commenced ahead of the world’s greatest multi sports showpiece.

Tuesday 14th March marked the symbolic date D – 500 days before the opening of the Olympic Games, “Paris 2024” !

To celebrate this date, the French Embassy in Ghana staged an event around skateboarding, in order to showcase this new Olympic discipline.

The French Embassy and Surf Ghana spearheaded the event at the Freedom Skatepark founded by Ms Sandy Alibo at Shiashe in Accra.

There was skateboarding demonstration and presentation of the skatepark as well as different actions that Surf Ghana carries out at the Freedom Park.

Present were the French Ambassador to Ghana Monsieur Jules Armand Aniambossou, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hon Evan Bobie Ansah, the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and other dignitaries.

GOC COMMUNICATIONS

US based Ghanaian Tennis enthusiast, Gina Asiedu-Ofei Founder of Bergins Outreach has donated tennis equipment to the Atomic Tennis Club.

Miss Gina Asiedu-Ofei, a former tennis player herself presented the items which comprised of tennis rackets, new and used balls, tennis shoes and tennis apparel to the Atomic tennis club.

According to her, the donation of tennis equipment is to ensure that young tennis players enjoy the opportunity to improve their training.

Vice  Chairman of Atomic Tennis Club, Yaw Adjei Agyepong , some executives and club patrons received the items.

He lauded Bergins Outreach for the kind gesture to Atomic Tennis Club.

“on behalf of the executives, club patrons and the entire members of Atomic Tennis Club, we want thank Bergins Outreach for continuously  developing these boys and girls through tennis”, Atomic Tennis Club has developed a lot of players who have  held the flag of Ghana high.

Speaking to ghanatennis.org Founder of Bergins Outreach Miss Gina Asiedu-Ofei said, for the past three years we have seen the children develop their skills very well, one of our major hot spot is St. Francis Tennis Club, we have actually seen this club produce a lot of stars in Ghana.  "Given the fact that it is a sport that develops the children mentally, builds disciplines, teaches values such us courage, persistence, and resilience.

Bergins Outreach earlier on, donated tennis items such as tennis rackets, used balls, shoes and outfits to St. Francis Tennis Club, Ashaiman and held a tennis clinic for the club.

Source Gabby Amoako

The Ga Traditional Council (GTC) has endorsed the 2023 Edition of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon (AICHM) as part of activities marking this years Ga Homowo Festival.

This was after the organisers of the event Medivents Consult paid a courtesy call on the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) on Monday at the Ga Mantse Palace at Kaneshie, Accra.

Mr. Mustapha Nettey - Spokesperson of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon expressed appreciation to the Council for their support in the maiden edition.

He said the support of the Council ensured a successful maiden edition last year and called for a similar support in the coming event.

Mr. Nettey said the organisers have learnt from their mistakes in the previous event and were looking forward to having better event this year.

According Mr. Nettey, there would be some innovations aimed at improving the security and safety of participants as well improve their prize package in the 2023 edition.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse through his linguist said the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon had the full backing of the Council.

He urged the organisers to that winners were brought to the palace after the race.

The Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon would be held on Saturday, July 29, from the Accra Sports Stadium through some principal streets in Accra, and would end at the Mantse Agbona, James Town.

The race which was introduced last year with 21-kilometrs as the flagship event, would this year have 10 and five kilometers as well.

Source AIM

World Rugby's African association, Rugby Africa, will be electing a new president at the Annual General Meeting to be held in Cape Town on 18 March 2023

Herbert Mensah, sports administrator, and President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, today announced his candidacy for President of the World Rugby's African association, Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa. Rugby Africa will be electing a new president at the Annual General Meeting to be held in Cape Town on 18 March 2023.

Video B-roll is available for media to download here: https://apo-opa.info/3leZNfW (Herbert Mensah announces his candidacy)

Sound bite is available for media to download here: https://apo-opa.info/3leZNfW (Herbert Mensah announces his candidacy)

The President will be elected for a period of four years commencing immediately after the results are announced by the executive committee on 18 March 2023. This will also be the first time in the history of Rugby Africa that elections will be contested.

Mensah was nominated by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation to run for President. Mensah, a current member of the Africa Rugby Executive Committee, is also an accomplished businessman with many years of experience in the business and sports sectors in Africa.

In 2014, Mensah took the helm at the Ghana Rugby Football Union where he significantly increased awareness around the sport while injecting much enthusiasm for players and officials, as well as encouraging the youth to participate in rugby through numerous initiatives and activities. He was instrumental in spearheading the national team’s qualification to the World Series, after they won the West Africa competition, before moving on to the African championship.

Mensah’s vision is to build a positive and strong brand for Rugby Africa, and to make rugby more accessible and visible to all Africans, in particular the youth. He would like to see an increase in continental competitions and greater support of member associations in terms of how they are structured and in economic development of the sport.

Currently, less than 30 percent of rugby players in Africa are women. Mensah’s strategic plan is to broaden the reach and appeal of rugby, raising the profile and image of women rugby players and officials, while ensuring that all structures further reflect diversity and inclusion of the sport. He also wants to ensure greater cohesion between English and French speaking countries, both in terms of sport and governance.

Commenting on his candidacy Mensah said, “I am extremely humbled to be nominated to run for President, and I am overwhelmed by the well wishes from my colleagues and peers. I am immensely proud as an African, to be given a chance to represent Africa on a global platform. African rugby has historically not received the recognition it deserves, and I look forward to the opportunity to use this platform to create meaningful change, while promoting a better understanding of the game on the continent, and beyond, and to encourage greater support of rugby across the entire African continent. If elected, my tenure will be one marked with service to Africa Rugby, and the rugby and sports fraternity at large on the continent.”

2023 Rugby World Cup will be held in France from September to October. Mensah hopes to use this world-class platform to collaborate with leading international rugby bodies and other associations to raise awareness around African rugby, while gaining much-needed support for the sport. Rugby will be one of the first competitions on show at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, where Mensah hopes to see more representation from African teams in the qualifying events. 

SOURCE Herbert Mensah