Japanese Born Ghanaian, Andy Hiroaka Codjoe aka The Blade returned home on Friday morning with the WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Title in his grips.

Andy Hiraoka Codjoe become champion on 13th September, 2022 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

He is trained by his dad, Coach Justice Codjoe who was born and bred at Korle Gonno.

On arriving in Accra, they drove through the principal streets including Bukom to their home to greet family members and friends,

According to former GOC Deputy General Secretary and President of Ghana Squash Federation  who is handling the media coverage of the return of Andy to his roots, they will pay courtesy calls on some dignitaries in Ghana.

He said Andy Hiraoka Codjoe has always wanted to visit his roots, and he is very happy to be in Ghana.

Andy was born and raised in a small suburb of Yokohama, Japan.

Born to a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father, Andy looks very different to most other Japanese people and yet he is quintessentially Japanese.

He speaks softly and politely, is humble and gracious, treats people around him with respect, and doesn’t show any signs of being flashy.

“When I was younger I wasn’t that good at making friends and because I looked different to the other kids, I often encountered bullying at school. I was always conscious of people what people were saying and thinking about me” he told Boxing News 24.

Japan is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world with Japanese nationals making up approximately 98.5% of the population, with a further one percent being made up by Chinese and Koreans, leaving the remaining small portion made up of ‘all the rest’.

Andy experienced another struggle in the form of the strict upbringing he had from his father.

From the age of four, Andy’s father, Justice, introduced a regime of boxing training into his life. ‘There were times I really didn’t want to do it, but my father insisted and so it was a struggle that I had to persisted with until around the age of 11 or 12, that was the age I started to train on my own accord.” I asked about the relationship he had with his father then, and the role his mother played in his upbringing. “If my father was the fire in my life then my mother was the water. When he was tough on me my mother would be there to console me, together they provided a balance in my upbringing”.

Hiraoka turned professional at the age of 17 whilst a member of a small gym, the Hanagata gym. But already from a young age, his father and associates were struggling to find opponents for him as he had developed a reputation for being both physically and technically strong.

Shortly after turning pro, he felt like the gym wasn’t able to get him the enough fights, and that his career needed an injection of development and so took it upon himself to travel to the US and spend some time training at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas.

He travelled with his mum and stayed with relatives on his father’s side of the family for a three month stint. Although the experience was an important one, it didn’t yield the results he had expected. “The atmosphere was very different to anything I had experienced before. There were so many people coming and going. There wasn’t a sense of togetherness. When I would spar, sometimes people from the other corner would boo me and even be rude to my mother. I didn’t expect that”. Not feeling like staying there would be beneficial in the long term, he left and tried his hand at a couple of other gyms in the States with the hope to further build-up his experience with other trainers across the pacific.

He ultimately returned to Japan at which time his father got in touch with former world champion and owner of Ohashi Gym, Hideyuki Ohashi. “I made contact with Ohashi about Andy”. I asked if Ohashi knew who Andy was. Justice let out a big smile and with a clap of his hands exclaimed “of course he knew who he was, he used to come to watch Andy spar from a young age.”

Andy’s father who has been training his son since the age of four was also in the gym, speaking fluently in Japanese to other fighters, giving them pointers. He graciously responded to my request to speak with him about his son. I soon realised he was a man with many stories. Born and raised in Ghana, Justice Codjoe has spent time in many different countries including the US where he met Andy’s mother.

According to Justice, he himself was a boxer in Ghana, a country renowned for its ability to churn out world champions, and even came up with the great Azumah “The Professor” Nelson. He claims that they trained in the same gym when they were both amateurs but before a major international tournament, there was an internal dispute involving management that meant Justice wasn’t able to go and represent his country. “Azumah came back with a gold medal. I’m not saying that if I went that I would have become a successful professional boxer, but there you go”. I asked him how he found himself in Japan and got an unexpected response. “When I was younger, I vividly remember having this dream. In the dream, I was an old man and I had my own boxing gym in the far-East”. He mentioned at the time he had little knowledge of the far-East but for some reason, it was a dream that stuck with him. “When I was with my wife, who I met in the US, she talked about going to Japan”.

He moved over here and ended up three children; two daughters, and his son Andy. Justice has spent time across the continents of Africa, Europe, America and Asia. He has the face of a wise man who has had many experiences. According to Boxing News 24.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Sensational young Ghanaian boxer, Sampson Segbedzi 24 used a little time to grab the vacant Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) All-Africa Welterweight title on Sunday, March 5, in Tema New Town, Accra.

He beat 32 years old Victus Kemavor at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Stadium, the Gym product stopped local rival Victus Kemavor (32) in the second round.

Segbedzi was on the offensive from the start, and landed big shots on Kemavor who tried to fire back but was overwhelmed and eventually badly hurt by a hard right hand which prompted the referee to step in and wave the fight off. Official time of stoppage: 1:23.

Considered one of the best prospects in West Africa, Segbedzi was a favourite going into what was his first title fight, despite facing a much more experienced foe, but it was not expected that he would make such short work of Kemavor.

Segbedzi, who dedicated his victory to the memory of footballer Christian Atsu who was killed in the recent earthquakes in Turkey, improved his professional record to 7-0 (6). Kemavor, falling short in his third championship bout, drops to 12-7 (9).

The fight headlined a show billed as “Independence Eve Boxing”, promoted by Box Office Sports Promotions in association with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council.

Source: UBO

Jamaican super star, Asafa Powell and his wife Alyshia showed that they were not only good runners, but great dancers as well when they displayed amazing dancing skills to the delight of guests at Anfield during a classic farewell dinner hosted by Mr. Francis Boateng, Chairman of Mobility Technologies on Wednesday evening

The former world fastest man, Asafa Powell of Jamaica and his lovely beautiful wife Alyshia, who is also a model and former athlete expressed their gratitude to the people of Ghana and the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

The reception attracted high class businessmen and women including Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) who initiated the trip of the august world super star, sports federation heads and representatives from Boxing - Mr. George Lamptey and Mr. Ben Quartey, Tennis - Mr. Isaac Duah, Golf - Mr. Michael Aggrey, Judo - Mr Kwab Asamoah, Kickboxing - Mr. Raja Owusu Ansah, Cricket - Mr. Emmanuel Asare, Volleyball and Athletics.

Also present was former Minister of Youth and Sports / Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Hon Nii Lante Vanderpuije, Mr. Kwabena Yeboah, President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), his vice Mr. Maurice Quansah of the Graphic Communications Group, Mr. John Vigah, Sports Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Mr  Karl Tuffour of Sunday Night Live on GTV Sports fame, Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah of Max TV, Mr  Ben Willie Graham, Theo Sampa, Michael Abayateye, Ohene Brenya of Happy Sports and ETV, Yours Truly and other top sports journalists.

Also in attendance was Mr. Kofi Adomako, MD of Ghana Commercial Bank, Director of Emirates in Ghana and Mr. Emmanuel Tuffour aka "Koora", a former athlete who represented Ghana at many international competitions.

Mr. Francis Boateng said he was very happy that Asafa Powell has visited Ghana where talent abound in different fields and pray that his mission and vision for the kids and youth of the motherland would be accomplished.

Mr Asafa Powell who returned a toast expressed that his country, Jamaica is jealous of the reception and love that Ghana has given him and felt so much welcomed, and promised to come back to set up a branch of his Foundation in Ghana to encourage young athletes, coaches, sports managers and the media.

He thanked Mr. Boateng and his wife Yvonne, and all the nice people who graced the farewell dinner.

Mr. Nathaniel Attoh of Joy Sports who was the MC of the impressive and entertaining and event said the day was to celebrate achievement and urged the kids of Ghana to start running because it can get them to high and big places.

Music was provided by the Sika Yede Band, known to be one of the best exponents of Reggae.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Francis Boateng, Chairman of Mobility Technologies on Wednesday evening hosted former world fastest man Asafa Powell of Jamaica and his lovely beautiful wife Alyshia, who is also a model and former athlete at his plush residence at Cantoments in Accra also called Anfield.

The reception attracted high class businessmen and women including Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) who initiated the trip of the august world super star, sports federation heads and representatives from Boxing - Mr. George Lamptey and Mr. Ben Quartey, Tennis - Mr. Isaac Duah, Golf - Mr. Michael Aggrey, Judo - Mr Kwab Asamoah, Kickboxing - Mr. Raja Owusu Ansah, Cricket - Mr. Emmanuel Asare, Volleyball and Athletics.

Also present was former Minister of Youth and Sports / Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Hon Nii Lante Vanderpuije, Mr. Kwabena Yeboah, President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), his vice Mr. Maurice Quansah of the Graphic Communications Group, Mr. John Vigah, Sports Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Mr  Karl Tuffour of Sunday Night Live on GTV Sports fame, Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah of Max TV, Mr  Ben Willie Graham, Theo Sampa, Michael Abayateye, Ohene Brenya of Happy Sports and ETV, Yours Truly and other top sports journalists.

Also in attendance was Mr. Kofi Adomako, MD of Ghana Commercial Bank, Director of Emirates in Ghana and Mr. Emmanuel Tuffour aka "Koora", a former athlete who represented Ghana at many international competitions.

Mr. Francis Boateng said he was very happy that Asafa Powell has visited Ghana where talent abound in different fields and pray that his mission and vision for the kids and youth of the motherland would be accomplished.

Mr Asafa Powell who returned a toast expressed that his country, Jamaica is jealous of the reception and love that Ghana has given him and felt so much welcomed, and promised to come back to set up a branch of his Foundation in Ghana to encourage young athletes, coaches, sports managers and the media.

He and his wife showed that they were not only runners, but great dancers and displayed amazing dancing steps to the delight of guests.

He thanked Mr. Boateng and his wife Yvonne, and all the nice people who graced the farewell dinner.

Mr. Nathaniel Attoh of Joy Sports who was the MC of the impressive and entertaining and event said the day was to celebrate achievement and urged the kids of Ghana to start running because it can get them to high and big places.

Music was provided by the Sika Yede Band, known to be one of the best exponents of Reggae.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

After seeing the skills, strength, speed and style of pupils at the Nima cluster of schools, former World top sprinter, Asafa Powell of Jamaica has appealed to sports authorities in Ghana to revive running in schools as there is so much talent going waste.

The former fastest man in the world was at Nima  in the center of Accra on Wednesday to witness a running session organized in his honour and he was amazed at the excitement and powerful show put up by the pupils.

In fact, the kids thought they were coming to play football, so they had not prepared to run, but they were informed the day was not for football, but running, so their teachers organized them to mark straight lines with charcoal, and that was the lanes in which the selected kids exhibited their talent.

At the end of the 50 meter races, so many of them realized that they can sprint and win Indomie and Verna Mineral Water by Twellium Industrial Company.

The great Asafa Powell who is the only person to run under 9 seconds several times told the kids he started running at a school just like theirs and he was encouraged by his Taxi driver dad and mum who sold at the market.

He disclosed that he wanted to become the fastest man in the world, he gradually he went through High school to achieve his desire.

According to him, it is not only football that can make them great, famous and rich but they should try Track & Field, and he appealed to sports authorities to build facilities for the children to enjoy themselves.

Mrs. Sally Owusu Ansah, a Head Mistress said there is massive talent in Ayawaso East, but they do not have sports facilities to enjoy themselves and she also appealed for support, likewise Madam Adiza Tarsa and Mr. William Nuhu, Supervisor of the schools.

The pupils who competed were drawn from Nima 1 and 2, St. Kizito, Kukatu, Tafsiliyya and Research Institute.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) who was present with the wife of Asafa Powell said it is time Athletics tracks are built in basic schools for children to discover and develop their talent to represent the nation at future international competitions.

He also expressed that the time for the revival of Athletics in schools is now, and called on corporate bodies to support.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The fight for attention and due recognition for women have been on since the early 1900s, but in 1975, March 8 became the rallying point as International Women’s Day (IWD), to celebrate women who are playing significant roles in the development and progress in all spheres of life, raise awareness on the need to give women more recognition for the important roles they play, as well as highlight issues that affect the general wellbeing and progress of women.

Over the years, the campaign messages have varied, but the aim and objective for commemorating the day have largely remained the same. In recent times, however, the focus has been on equality – giving women equal access to all the benefits and intervention every human being deserves to progress and have a meaningful life.

In sports, the struggle have not changed much and this year’s campaign message:”Embrace Equity”, resonates with the ongoing struggles women in sports continue to encounter in pursuit of their dreams.

The GOC Women’s Commission recognizes that access to innovation and technology  is critical to development and progress as this year’s theme as chosen by the United Nations’s ‘DigitALL :Innovation and technology for gender equality,’ it is the embrace equity, that sums up the clarion call for all the push for equality.

Equity is key in everything as it sums up everything: regardless of gender and background having equal access helps people to realise their potential at their level, given that there are levels in all endeavours

Indeed, much gains have been made at the international level as there is largely parity in prize monies for many international competitions as well as opportunities, and this is laudable.

However, on the local scene, the gap between males and females with regards  to access to facilities, opportunities to take up sports and in administrative roles is very wide.

For instance the 2020 Olympic Games held in Tokyo was celebrated as the first ever-gender balanced Games in history, yet it was not so for Ghana as the number of female athletes who represented were not the same as the number of male athletes.

At the moment, the disparity in the number of women who serve on sports associations is anything but equal.

While it is largely true that involvement in sports thrive on interest, passion and capabilities, it is also true that in Ghana, the atmosphere has been more discouraging than encouraging for many women to take up roles.

There are covertly and overtly names-calling, subtle impediments put in ways and sexism against women which all contribute to them stepping back rather than forward to take up roles.

As the GOC Women’s Commission join women all over the world to mark the IWD, we would also like to focus on issues at home and calls upon sports federation to provide an equal playing field and opportunities for women in sports to thrive either as active athletes, technical persons or administrators.

For those who show the interest, we call on federations and even schools to encourage them to pursue their interest, help them develop their skills so they can efficiently play their roles.

We are all made differently, but embracing equity in all we do provide a fair playing field for us all to thrive.

On this special day to celebrate women, we celebrate all women in sports for their passion, dedication, interest and hardwork to ensure that they do not only succeed, but also put Ghana’s name on the world map.

We salute the heroines of yesteryears and of today who, despite all the challenges, are braving the odds to keep the light on in the path for the future generations.

Happy International Women’s Day.

Source Elizabeth King / Women's Commission of the Ghana Olympic Committee

The New Executives of Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Association continues their restructuring process in view of improving the game by appointing four new members to the Executive Council.

Kencity Media Limited(Oman FM & Net2 TV) Journalist, Clement Osei Aboagye has been appointed as Head of Media to coordinate all the publications and promotions of the Association for the next four years together with other three appointment.

The other appointments include Mr Peace Edwards who will serves as National Team Coach and Mr Boniface Abotsi as his assistant, Madam Joana Adu Obiri-Yeboah takes the position of Executive Assistant to the President Abdul Hayye Yartey who was re-elected some weeks ago.

The New Executive Members will continue to do its best to improve the Association to win more lures for mother Ghana.

By Akakpo Agodji (Freelance Journalist)

Nana Kobina Asafa Ababio and Nana Ekua Amina Powell, the Super guests of the Ghana Olympic Committee have revealed that the trip to the motherland was very successful.

They thanked the GOC President, Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah for leading the programme to get to know their roots.

They spent Ghana Independence Day in Cape Coast, where Alyshia's family is from and met the King of Ogua, Nana Kwesi Atta, Nana Amoako Boudu chief of Breman Askiuma President of the Central regional house of chiefs.

Cape Coast is the capital of the Central Region, in southern Ghana, known most famous for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

They visited the Cape Coast Castle which is a large whitewashed fort used by the British as a holding prison for the shipment of slaves and St. Augustine’s College.

Asafa Powell will return to Ghana in December to continue from where they left off to inspire young Ghanaians to find their passions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Special Guest of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Asafa Powell from Jamaica and his  Ghanaian / Canadian born wife Alyshia have paid a working visit to the Olympi Africa Sports Excellence Center For Kids / Youth at Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region.

The former world 100 meters record holder was happy to see such a project coming up for kids and commended the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and his board for their vision and hard work.

Asafa Powell said such a project for kids especially is very laudable and thanked Mr Clement Nii Lamptey Wilkinson, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ga West (Amasaman) as well as everyone who has supported in protecting the land which was secured during the era of Hon. B.T Baba, a former GOC Boss.

According to Asafa Powell planning for the kids and youth is very ideal and important because they are the future leaders of the nation, and some of them will become the stars of Ghana in sports.

He presented some kids who accompanied the MCE and the officials with products from Twelluim Industrial and Indomie who are supporting the historical trip to Ghana.

Some GOC officials who were part of the visit to Amasaman were Mr. Abe Duah, Deputy Treasurer / President of Ghana Tennis Association, Mr. Emmanuel Asare President of Ghana Cricket and Edem Accountant.

Work on the site has started and the facilities will include a hostel, volleyball court, tennis courts, football field and running tracks for track and field events.

There would be venues for other events like tug of war, ampe, cycling, boxing, taekwondo, karate do, judo, table tennis, badminton etc.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian young rising kick boxing star, Samuel Plange of Atukpai will mount the ring in Hong Kong to face Law Kit Fung  for the Intercontinental Championship in the 64kg weight division on May 9th 2023.

Law Kit Fung (Hong Kong China) will have it tough against Samuel Plange (Ghana) who has promised to make it bigger on the international platform.

He said he has to make his coach Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai very proud and will fight hard and well to will.

"Though it would be difficult fighting away from home, I have trained enough under coach Issac Doku and if Senior Coach Nyanyo Nmai joins I hope to have the confidence and courage to win" he said.

He will be accompanied by his manager, Lawrence Yemoson. who is also sure that Plange has what it takes to win because he doesn't fear opponents, where ever they come from.

The Pro Fighting Factory gym membership has wished him good luck and success.

Two times SWAG Award winner, Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai who is based in Switzerland has urged the media to promote Ghana Boxing and Ghana Kickboxing. He also commended the Ghana Olympic Committee for promoting Ghana Athletics by hosting Asafa Powell.

By Sammy Heywood Okine