Christian Atsu’s Son, Joshua Atsupie Wins U9 League Cup To Honor His Father

Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu’s son, Joshua Atsupie has won the under-9 league Cup to honor his father who passed away in the just tragic earthquake in Turkey.

Joshua Atsupie was seen holding the cup in a short video shared on TikTok. He was with his teammates.

Marie-Claire Rupio, the wife of late Ghanaian player Christian Atsu, uploaded a photo of her son, Joshua Atsupie, holding a trophy on Instagram.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Nathaniel Johnson, the newly elected President of the Ghana Karate Do Federation has promised to unite the Federation and make the sport very active in the regions and security services.

Speaking at the Idrowhyt Events Centre at Dansoman where he met karatekas to lay before them his mission and vision, he said they must have have hope and believe in the new direction.

He acknowledged past and present practitioners who have contributed to the development and promotion of Karate Do in Ghana, and urged every one to come together so that they can build the Federation and a better future where their numbers will increase.

He noted that Karate Do is a special sports discipline that makes one very disciplined and get integrity.

According to him, it would be ideal if the Ghana Education Service embraces Karate Do as an extra curriculum for students, so that everyone will know about self defense and be able to protect him or herself always.

He expressed that the new Federation has to break business models to attract sponsorship to be able to organize more events and programs as well as international competitions, especially the West African Zone 2 Championship.

Present at the event were representatives of the Ghana Queen Mothers Association, and Nana Tiwa, their spokesperson who is also a Karate expert appealed to education institutions to add Karate Do to the subjects taught at school.

Immediate past President of the Federation, Sensei Melvin Brown who is Vice President at the continental level called for the formation and maintenance of clubs as they represent the Federation.

Hanshi Francis Fuster who chaired the programme congratulated everyone who has contributed to Karate Do in Ghana. He advised practitioners not to relent, but keep on pushing to make Ghana Karate Do better and best on the continent.

Mr. Jeff Owusu who represented the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) said the Federation will be supported as they keep on monitoring their activities.

Present were other new executives and officers of the Federation.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Nana Odiasempa Abena Ayebea Okani I Asumka hemaa of Adukrom Akuapim has sent a goodwill message to Ghanaian boxer Isaac Dogboe as he fights for his second world title in the featherweight division in the United States of America.

Isaac Dogboe faces Cuban top boxer, Robeisy Ramirez on April 1 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

According to  Odiasempa Abena Ayebea Okani I Asumka hemaa of Adukrom Akuapim, she believes Dogboe, also called the Royal Storm will win and bring the belt and glory home to Ghana.

She also commended the Ghana Boxing Authority GBA led by Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye and his executive for their wonderful job that has risen the interest of boxing in Ghana.

She hailed the media also for their reportage of sports news.

Nana Odiasempa Abena Ayebea Okani I advised the youth, especially girls to work hard to be reliable on themselves by moving into ventures that would make them confident, independent and rich.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The President of the Ghana Judo Association has been buried in Accra on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

The funeral was attended by President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, his vice Mawuko Afadzinu, Mr. William Asare and Mrs. Delphina Quaye all members of the GOC Board.

Mr. Tetteh, an former employee of the Ghana Customs was a member of the GOC Board and chalked many succeses, both locally and international.

Mr Emmanuel Tetteh passed away on 6th January 2023.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Army Ladies Hockey team won silver at the just-ended 24th edition of the Africa Cup for Club Championship (ACCC) in Kenya on 19 February 2023.

The Greater Accra Hockey league bronze medalist had their opening game against the 2022 ACCC champions and reigning Ghana league winners GRA ladies and defeated them by 2-1.

They took on Delta Queens from Nigeria who were the first runner-up in the 2022 ACCC in their second game and recorded the same scoreline (2-1) as their opening match.

Their third match was against Kenya's league bronze medalists, Lakers but lost painfully by 2-0.

Ghana Army drew 1-1 to Kenya's league champions Strathmore University in their fourth game.

The Soldiers had a walkover in their game against Kada Queens from Nigeria who could not make it to the tournament.

With one game at hand to grab the ultimate, Ghana Army ladies locked horns with Blazers, formerly Telkom ladies from Kenya, and won by a 3-2 but GRA ladies from Ghana walked home with the trophy ahead of Ghana Army by a head-to-head goal rule.

Army had the same points as GRA but the latter had more goals ahead of Army.

Team Army were scheduled to play 6 matches in all but ended up playing 5 matches where they won 3, drew 1, lost 1, and had 1 walkover.

In an interview with Amy's Sports Officer Major Dickinson Agalga, he expressed the team's gratitude to the managers of the team, supporters across the Ghana Armed Forces, the Greater Accra Hockey fraternity, and the nation at large.

Major Agalga added, that the team is resolute and determined to pick the ultimate in the  2024 ACCC to the Chief of Army Staff Major General Thomas Oppong-Pepprah who has committed resources to push the team to higher heights.

The ACCC is held annually by the African Hockey Federation and this year's event took off, from 13th to the 19th of February 2023 at the Dashmesh Hockey Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya.

By: Victoria Nana Adwoa Kwofie

Ghana legend Mohammed Polo explains why he presented a five-year football development plan to President Akufo-Addo

1978 AFCON winner Mohammed Polo has explained why he presented a five-year football development plan to President Nana Akufo Addo.

On Tuesday, the legendary Polo called on the President at the Jubilee House and officially presented his book titled ‘Polo the Magnificent’ and a copy of his five-year development plan for youth football to him.

Polo's book, was published and launched last year, detailing the life of the footballer and also providing a five-year youth development plan for Ghana football.

Explaining why he presented the five-year plan to the President, Polo said, “Our time we had a brand and that is Ghana brand of football ‘It was called agoro, unfortunately, it looks as if things are shifting because of the rise for outside contract. We want everything to come in time so we don’t give these talented ones the time to ripe and it looks as if it is not helping us”

“I sat down and said no, because it is the right time for me to see the President I have to introduce this brand of football ‘agoro’ with a five-year development plan. I saw it is the time to present the plan to the President and I know he loves football and will love to see quality football. He saw us and I think we have to give the younger ones the experience and what we have. The talents are there and I believe something must be done and that is what I intend doing”

The President also commended Polo for his contribution to Ghana football and assured him that, his proposed five-year development plan will be given attention by the government and the agencies directly responsible for youth and football-related matters in the country.

“Your visit today is on point, there is always a right time to meet and this is the right time. I’m grateful for the copy of the biography and a copy of the five-year development, you have some request in it and we will look at request and do the best we can to assist.

“I am always encouraged by citizens of this country who continue to show an interest in the development of our country in the areas of specialty even long after they are active in the area.

"It's a real love of country that you demonstrate in doing that and I find it very commendable and highly appreciated.  It is an example you are setting for the future generation of people that long after you have stopped playing, you can continue to have an interest and an impact on the development of the sports" President Akufo-Addo said.

"I am very confident that the great days of Ghanaian football will be back. What you [Mohammed Polo] are offering us here is an opportunity to work together to make that happen"

Polo was a household name in Ghana football in the 1970s and 1980s while playing for Accra Hearts of Oak. He was also an integral member of the Black Stars team that won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1978.

The 65-year-old’s impressive performances earned him a nomination for the African Footballer of the Year award in 1977.

Polo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to emerge from Ghana and was dubbed the ‘Dribbling Magician’ during his playing days.

He won over 50 International caps and scored 20 goals for Ghana in a career that spanned two decades.

Mohammed ‘Polo’ previously worked as a Coach for Malian side Stade Malien, Accra Great Olympics and Accra Hearts of Oak.

Footballghana.com

On Friday 25th February, 2023 the Minister for youth and sports,  Hon Mustapha Ussif (MP) inaugurated a ten member committee to oversee the preparation and  organisation of the 2023 Para African Games to be hosted in Ghana from 3rd to 12th September,  2023.

Speaking at the inauguration event, the Minister noted that the appointment and inauguration of the Local Organising Committee as well as the construction of infrastructure is an indication that the nation , under the leadership of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has great interest in the organisation and hosting of the African Games in Ghana.

He charged the committee to do their utmost best to mobilise all resources required to successfully host the event.

He indicated that continental Games of this magnitude where 48 countries are involved can only be successfully planned, implemented and delivered with the support and collaboration of all stakeholders,  institutions,  partners,  sponsors,  philanthropists and individuals.

He invited all Sports related bodies who are interested to partner the Ministry of Youth and Sports to make history by delivering a memorable first ever African Games as far as the history of its organisation is concerned.

The members of the committee are Dr. Chris Boadi-Mensah as Chairman,   Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, Juliana Addo-Yobo, Reks Brobbey, Henry Tachie-Menson, Saddick Adams,  Gifty Afia Oware Aboagye, Osman Ali, Eric Kissi and Dr. Hayat Khattab all members of the committee.

Source MYS

The Scrabble Association of Ghana (SCAG) is organizing a special competition to mark the 50^th birthday of their president, Mr. Haruna Adamu on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

The event takes place at GPS Number: GL-107-1223.

There are amazing and fantastic prizes at stake for the first five places, best female player and highest placed player.

According to the SCAG, the format is nine games for Singles Category.

The dress code for all participants and guests is White.

Mr. Haruna Adamu has been advocating for schools and colleges, as well as tertiary institutions to embrace Scrabble to encourage students to know more about the game which has many opportunities for the youth.

He said apart from travelling to other countries to player, the games sharpens the brain and makes players smart.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

He takes over from Nigerian Mitchell Obi who opted not to run for re-election after ten years

Abdoualye Thiam is the new AIPS Africa (https://AIPSAfrica.com) president. Thiam who heads the National Sport Press Association of Senegal was elected President on Saturday, February 25, the final day of the three day of the AIPS Africa congress in Dakar. He takes over from Nigerian Mitchell Obi who opted not to run for re-election after ten years.

Morocco’s Morad Moutaouakkil who stepped down from vying for the position of president, retained his first vice president seat unopposed following the withdrawal of Sudan’s Mufti Mohammed and Nazim Bessol of Algeria.

Bessol who previously served as member was elected in the second round of voting as one of the four vice presidents with a majority 10 votes.

With 16 votes Chris Mbaisi of Kenya was the highest elected vice president, followed by Ms Bertille Missi Bikoun of Cameroon who got 15 votes while Mali’s Oumar Baba Traoré had 10 votes.

Musa Sise from the Gambia will serve as AIPS Africa’s Secretary General. He was voted by acclamation after the withdrawal of the former SG William Ezah.

Mrs Liliane Nshimirinana from Burundi was the only candidate for the treasurer’s position. This is the first time in AIPS Africa that a woman will serve in this position.

Four new members were voted with Jerome Tiendrebeogo from Burkina Faso leading with 17 votes, Kodjo Avuletey of Togo received 14 votes, Fridolin Wambombo from Central Africa Republic got 12 votes and Ms Kadiatou Traoré from Guinea got 11 votes.

This is the first time that a Senegalese will lead the continental body. “As we agreed on the top positions, we want to show the way we are going to as a new team presenting Africa as a united continent with a will to move things forward,” a delighted president Thiam said in a packed congress room in Dakar.

“I’m happy that our fellow African colleagues understood this and thank them for the trust.”

List of Executive Committee members

President:

Abdoulaye Thiam – Senegal

1st Vice President:

Morad Moutaouakkil – Marocco

Vice-Presidents:

Chris Mbaisi - Kenya

Ms Bertille Missi Bikoun – Cameroom

Oumar Baba Traoré – Mali

Nazim Bessol – Algeria

General Secretary

Musa Sisse

Treasurer

Liliane Nshimirinana

Members:

Jerôme Tiendrebeogo – Burkina Faso

Kodjo Avuletey - Togo

Fridolin Wambobo Kpengoulagna – Central African Republic

Kadiatou Traoré - Guinea

SOURCE AIPS Africa

Mr. Abdul Hayye Yartey retained has his position as the President of the Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (GBFA) for the next four years.

The GBFA Elective Congress, which was held on Friday, February 24 at the Media Center in the Accra Sports Stadium saw 14 delegates cast their ballots with Abdul Hayye Yartey defeating the incumbent Vice President Mr. Charles Owusu Ansah who had three votes. He polled 11 votes.

The rest of the executives were unopposed, Vice President (George Fausta Baffoe), General Secretary (Naa Amerley Ashley), Treasurer Rosemary (Yayra Fiadonu), Head of Women’s Committee (Mrs. Bambi Sam), Head of Techinical Committee (Dr. Samuel Adjei) and Media Committee Member (Clement Osei Aboagye).

Mr. Yartey expressed his profound gratitude to the delegates for the re-election and pledged to work harder than expected.

He said, “I would like to thank the GBFA for the trust once again. We have come a long way. I called for support and unity for the development for the sports”.

From Sammy Heywood Okine